Robin van Persie did score this weekend, scoring the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over QPR. This goal means RVP finished 2011 with 35 goals in 36 matches for Arsenal, just short of Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 36 goals in 42 matches back from 1995.

Van Persie did break the Arsenal record for goals in one year, that belonged to non other than returning Gunners legend, Thierry Henry. Henry scored 34 goals in 39 matches for Arsenal in 2004, and was watching from the stands as Van Persie broke his record.

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With that 60th minute goal on Saturday, Van Persie remained the Premier League’s leading scorer with 17 goals to finish the first half of the season, three more than Demba Ba. It’s hard keeping up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Mario Gomez but Van Persie has a legitimate shot at the European Golden Boot award if he keeps his form in the opening months of 2012.

Player of the year? It seems that his chances in the Premier League are pretty good, but in order to get European, continental recognition by being nominated for awards, Arsenal need to do more than they have in previous seasons.

In honor of his fantastic 12 months, here are all of RVP’s goals in 2011, compressed into 3 fantastic minutes.