Arsenal's captain homes in on Shearer's record

Former England captain Alan Shearer backs Arsenal's frontman Robin van Persie to break his record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year.

"Robin van Persie will take one of my records away from me before the end of the month. I'm pretty sure of that and I'll be the first to congratulate him," Said Shearer in an exclusive report in The Sun.

The Dutch international has been in sensational form this season having scored 19 goals so far, almost single-handedly turning around Arsenal's fortune after enduring their worst start in nearly half a century.

"He will beat my total of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year — a record, by the way, I was unaware of until it was mentioned to me on Match of the Day at the weekend," said Shearer who set in 1995 when he was with Blackburn.

Van Persie has 33 goals and has four games left this year to get the record with trips to Manchester City and Aston Villa and home clashes with Wolves and QPR.

Shearer lauded van Persie for leading from the front.

"He has scored 33 goals in 32 Premier League games — and not just as his team's main striker but as Arsenal captain," he noted.

"He has shouldered both of those responsibilities and replied to his critics by doing the hardest job in football, putting the ball in the net on a regular basis," said Shearer.

He added: "He is someone who leads by example with the excellence of his performances. Team-mates will always be inspired by that kind of skipper.
 
"We have always known he was a top player.

"There have been nagging doubts in the past about his fitness and his ability to play a long spell of games without interruption.
 
"He has put that right over the last year and proved beyond doubt he is up there with the world's best."

That includes players like Andy Cole, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

Arsenal legend Henry stands second behind Shearer with 34 goals he scored in 2004 with van Persie likely to eclipse that mark against Manchester City this weekend.

Shearer was gushing in praise for the versatility of the Gunner.

"Van Persie can score goals any way you like. He puts away headers, tap-ins and rockets. The volley which won the game against Everton last Saturday was, I suppose, a definitive strike by the in-form Arsenal man," he said.
 
He felt Arsenal should hold on to their prized asset instead of selling him, although van Persie has not committed his future at Emirates having just 18 months on his contract.

"They would have to accept a lot less money if he were heading for his final year without a new deal in place," he said.

But if van Persie were to leave the club in mid-contract, Shearer equated his value to a similar price range to that of £50 million Fernando Torres and £35 million Andy Carroll.
 
"To Arsenal, he is simply invaluable because his goals have been so productive in terms of games won. For them to even consider selling Van Persie would be unthinkable and I am sure Arsenal will be doing all they can to get him to sign an extended contract," he added.

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