Robin van Persie vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Striker, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2019) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Robin van Persie against Per Mertesacker is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Across his senior career Robin van Persie notched 322 goals in 694 appearances (0.46 per game), while Per Mertesacker recorded 15 in 550 (0.03 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Robin van Persie is listed at 0 and Per Mertesacker at 5 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Robin van Persie 9 and Per Mertesacker 4, with 1× Premier League (2013) and 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) the standout honours respectively. As a striker Robin van Persie bent the role to a mercurial template; as a centre-back, Per Mertesacker redefined it with elegant authority. The wider career context matters too: Robin van Persie peaked around 2012 after representing Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe, while Per Mertesacker's defining level came around 2014 across Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
187 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Robin van Persie is a Dutch football coach and former professional footballer. He last served as the head coach of Eredivisie club Feyenoord. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation and was known for his technique, ball control, and vision.
“A left-footed artist whose volleys, movement and aerial technique made difficult finishes routine.”
A towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× Premier League (2013)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Feyenoord
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 Retired from professional football
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Robin van Persie wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Robin van Persie edges it (a decisive margin)
