Barclays Premier League legend Alan Shearer has backed Robin van Persie to break his record of goals in a calendar year.

The Gunners captain netted his 33rd goal of 2011 in the win over Everton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday – scored in only 32 games.

Shearer was full of praise for a striker who has become an irreplaceable part of Arsene Wenger’s side this year.
“He will beat my total of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year — a record, by the way, I was unaware of until it was mentioned to me on Match of the Day at the weekend,” said Shearer in his column for The Sun.

“Records are there to be broken and I can think of no better striker than the Dutchman to write his name in the history books.”

Newcastle United hero Shearer also feels 2011 was the year that ‘RVP’ really proved he was able to just appear consistently at the top level, never mind proving he can compete with the best players.

“There have been nagging doubts in the past about his fitness and his ability to play a long spell of games without interruption,” he continued

“He has put that right over the last year and proved beyond doubt he is up there with the world's best.

“Van Persie can score goals any way you like. He puts away headers, tap-ins and rockets.”

The Match of the Day pundit added that the importance of Van Persie being named captain by Arsene Wenger must not be underestimated.

Although saying the Dutchman was not a typical character to be captain, Shearer conceded he has lead the team in his own way and has become as influential.

“There are different types of skipper and Van Persie is not the roll-your-sleeves-up type who offers loud vocal encouragement,” he added.

“He is someone who leads by example with the excellence of his performances. Team-mates will always be inspired by that kind of skipper.”

Arsenal officials believe Robin van Persie will not abandon the club next summer.

The Dutchman has become the most integral part of Arsene Wenger’s side, scoring 19 goals for the Gunners this season.

Losing Van Persie would be a mahor blow, but chairman Peter Hill-Wood is confident he will remain at Emirates Stadium come the summer.

“I think Robin wants to stay. He seems very happy,” Hill-Wood told the Daily Star.

“Nothing has been discussed, though it is obvious we want him to stay. He doesn't want to talk about a contract now and that's fine with us.”

Van Persie’s does not have very long to go on his contract and he will only be a year away from a free transfer next summer.

Arsenal could be faced with a similar situation to Samir Nasri, who they were effectively forced to sell in order not to lose him for free in the summer.

The Holland international has had the year of his career in 2011, scoring 33 goals in 32 Barclays Premier League games.

It is the first time in his career that Van Persie has avoided missing out through injury and he is thought to be finally fulfilling his potential.

Arsene Wenger signed the 28-year-old from Feyenoord in 2004 and he has developed into one of the world’s leading strikers.