5 footballers who retired this season

#2 Robin Van Persie

Van Persie is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation.

Robin Van Persie will always be remembered as a footballing legend and the guy who scored that header against Spain in the 2014 World Cup. A record goalscorer of all time for the Dutch National side, he is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation.

He made his senior debut with Feyenoord in the 2001-02 campaign in which he ended up winning the UEFA Cup Final and was named Dutch Football Talent of the Year. He joined Arsenal in 2004 for £2.75 million as a long-term replacement for compatriot Dennis Bergkamp.

After being named as Arsenal's captain in 2011, Van Persie joined Manchester United next season. Van Persie fell out of favour at Manchester United and he was allowed to leave for Fenerbache in 2015 only to return to Feyenoord in January 2018 for a free transfer and won the Dutch Cup, his first trophy since 2013's FA Community Shield.

Van Persie was a set piece specialist and a vast number of his assists came from both corners and freekicks. He was also a proven direct freekick taker who scored regularly for his club and country. He started as a winger but was converted by Wenger into a No. 9 after the departure of Henry to Barcelona.

A role model for a lot of young footballers around the globe, Van Persie's presence of the pitch will be severely felt.