Robin van Persie has again taken the time to reflect on his winning free-kick against Sunderland at the Emirates last week and lamented the fact that for so long at set pieces he couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo.
The Dutch international has long been Arsenal’s chief candidate for all shots on goal from outside the box, but aside from a dodgy deflected effort scored on New Year’s day at Birmingham City, had spent much of the last ten months taking aim at members of the crowd or trying to kick balls out of various stadia.
Luckily, because he’s so damned awesome, RVP looks as though he’s finally found the necessary magic to turn Emirates groans into moments of celebration. Speaking to the Arsenal official matchday programme ahead of yesterday’s 3-1 win over Stoke City, the captain stated:
“Obviously it was a very nice feeling to score that free-kick and win the match. It was my first one for a while – in part I’ve been unlucky, hitting a couple of good efforts onto the woodwork in recent times, but partly I’ve not been good enough.
“I’d missed too many in the past few months and wasn’t happy about it – my shot is one of my strengths and I knew I could do better. I came close against Bolton a few weeks ago, so had a feeling I was getting closer, but the ball still needs to go in.”
Pay attention, here comes the science bit…
“Strangely, when you don’t really think about the end result I think you have a bigger chance. Everything needs to be in place when you’re taking a free-kick – every single step you make, your run-up, your body position, making sure you lean back a little but not too far otherwise your shot will fly over.
“It’s all like mathematics – it has to come together. If you’re out by even five per cent, it’ll go off target.
“It’s a very long way from putting the ball down to scoring – there are so many things to organise and do perfectly. Luckily everything came off and created a good moment for all of us.”
*swoon*
What a legend
There is nothing I don’t love about robin.
Apart from his contract.
I think I am a little bit gay after seeing him on MOTD last night.
Wotta ledge.
Awesome
He is amaaazing.
It’s true for any sport really (where striking is involved). If you can concentrate on being technically and bio-mechanically sound, then your end product is going be quality, rather than trying to manipulate the ball towards the target.
Theo has the worst ‘end products’ . hehehe
he really should work on his bio-mechanics for better end products
oh shit!! he is giving away the secret technique.
Now opposing players will blow his leg away by five percent when he is about to hit the ball.
He’s skilled
He’s Dutch
He scores with his first touch
He has no mercy
He’s Robin van Persie !!! 😉
rvp
Arsenal4Life – Genuinely good chant! Is this currently being used at The Grove, and if not, why not?
Its like launching cannons. You’ve to set degrees to get the target. Robin is scientist.
Future arsene wenger??!!
It’s good to see professor’s penchant for stats and proper methodology is being picked up by his players…
RVP will be a legend if he stays with arsenal forever…
To us, he is RVP. To them he is RIP keep nailing their coffins mate
@Tackir. And his area of science is ….Rocket science.
It’s all about good technique. RVP has is and Dennis had it by the bucketloads. Good to see he is thinking about it and how he is continually trying to improve.
[…] balloon to the other side of the pitch without finding a team mate. Maybe the lads can learn from RVP how take a free kick, and that is not to think about it at all. Whatever it is, all chances must be grabbed with both […]