Van Persie admits volley gamble

The Arsenal talisman closed in on Thierry Henry's club record of goals within a calendar year with his strike which secured the Gunners' 1-0 victory with 20 minutes remaining.

However, Van Persie concedes that he was taking a huge risk in hitting the ball on the volley, rather than taking a touch first to increase his chances of finding the net.

"Normally I would have taken a touch to get it right," the Dutchman told the club's official website. "It was a bit of a gamble but in the end a very nice goal just inside the post. I can't wish for more.

"It was a great pass again from Alex Song. It's unbelievable - he's a defensive midfielder but the amount of skill he has is just a dream.

"It was vital to stay on track and get the three points," he added. "It was a hard game against a good Everton side so in the end we were very pleased.

"We've played solid at the back for a couple of weeks now - I mean really solid. You know then that as a forward player, one chance can be decisive."

The goal came in a game where Arsenal were celebrating their 125th club anniversary, with many club legends, including Thierry Henry, watching on from the stands.

ByElliott Binks

Nick Moore

Nick Moore is a freelance journalist based on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. He wrote his first FourFourTwo feature in 2001 about Gerard Houllier's cup-treble-winning Liverpool side, and has continued to ink his witty words for the mag ever since. Nick has produced FFT's 'Ask A Silly Question' interview for 16 years, once getting Peter Crouch to confess that he dreams about being a dwarf.