RVP proud to lead Gunners

After midfielder Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal for Barcelona last summer, van Persie took over the captain's armband. Despite his added responsibilities, the forward has performed well this entire season, leading the Premier League scorers list and looking a prospective winner for the PFA Player of the Year.

Van Persie has come a long way from his first season in 2004, and though he now has an elevated status amongst his team-mates, he maintains that nothing has changed.

"I don't think it changed me a lot in the way I am because I believe you should always stay the same, I think the only thing that has changed for me is that it has been made official." he told the club's official website.

"Before that I was always helping people out where I could because we all help each other out, it's not only me. This is the way our club is."

Nevertheless, the Dutchman is proud to lead the Gunners, and he aspires to continue upholding the values of the club as so many have done before him.

"I was very proud [to be made captain], obviously, if you look at the history of Arsenal captains, being part of that is a very special feeling. It makes me proud because Arsenal is a massive club." van Persie shared.

"You look at Tony Adams, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas - those guys were proper captains. I like it, it feels comfortable and not weird."

Van Persie will lead Arsenal during their next Premier League against Wigan on Monday.