Van Persie named Player of the Year

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.

The 28-year-old Holland international has scored 27 Barclays Premier League goals this season for the Gunners — his most fruitful campaign for the club — and was humbled to be recognised by his peers.

“If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it,” he said.

“It is very special because you are playing against them week in week out and every single player does everything to win and in the end if they make up their minds that I’m the best player it is a big honour.”

Van Persie may have picked up the top individual honour but he was quick to point out it would not have been possible without his Arsenal team-mates.

“Without them I could not have achieved it,” he said.

The Young Player of the Year award went to Tottenham and England full-back Kyle Walker.

The 21-year-old Spurs defender beat the likes of Sergio Aguero and Danny Welbeck to win the trophy and it came as quite a surprise to the former Sheffield United man.

“I was a bit surprised because defenders don’t normally get these awards and get the limelight as much as the centre-forwards,” he said.

“If you look at the people I was in with then it is a great honour to get the award and hopefully there is more to come.”

Both players were also selected in the Premier League’s Team of the Year. Van Persie was the only Arsenal player present whereas Walker was one of three Spurs men, with Scott Parker and Gareth Bale also included.

The PFA Merit award was presented to Preston defender Graham Alexander in recognition of his services to the game, dating back to his debut as a Scunthorpe player in 1991.