Is Arsenal's Van Persie the Player of the Year?

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie headed the list of nominees for the 2011-12 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the Year award announced on Monday.

The Dutchman, who has scored 27 league goals this season, is joined on the shortlist by the Manchester City trio of goalkeeper Joe Hart, midfielder David Silva and striker Sergio Aguero.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker and England striker Wayne Rooney of league leaders Manchester United complete the line-up.

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Aguero was also named on the shortlist for the young players' equivalent prize, alongside Spurs pair Kyle Walker and Gareth Bale, Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge and United's Danny Welbeck.

The winner will be announced at the PFA's annual awards ceremony on Sunday evening.

Bale won last season's senior award, while Rooney received the prize in 2010.

Van Persie is the overwhelming favourite for the top award after a remarkable season.

Arsene Wenger paid tribute to Van Persie after the Arsenal striker equalled Ian Wright's Premier League record for scoring against the most teams in a 38-game season.

Van Persie's early penalty in Wednesday's 3-0 win at Wolves meant he has now scored against 17 of Arsenal's 19 league opponents this season, having only failed to find the net against Fulham and Manchester City,

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Only Gunners great Wright has previously managed such a feat, with Sunderland and Manchester United the only sides the former England international failed to net against.

Andy Cole and Alan Shearer have also managed to score against 17 separate teams in a league campaign, but when the Premier League comprised of 22 teams.

"To achieve this in the modern game is remarkable, I would like to congratulate him. You only have 19 teams to score against so for your striker to have scored against 17 teams is something sensational," Wenger said.

"He could have beaten it if he had scored against Manchester City on Sunday but he hit the post twice."

He missed the chance to go ahead in the 2-1 defeat against Wigan on Monday.

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