Debut

Van Persie began as a youth player for Dutch side Excelsior Rotterdam and later Feyenoord Rotterdam, earning caps in the process for Holland's U-19 and U-21 squads. He was unexpectedly called up to Feyenoord's injury-plagued first-team squad soon after he signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the club in January 2002. These performances, including his playing an integral part in the 3-2 UEFA Cup final victory over Borussia Dortmund at the De Kuip on May 8, 2002, earned him the prestigious Best Young Talent award offered by the Dutch PFA for the 2001/02 season.

Injury

As a result of a back injury suffered during the summer of 2002, he was an uncertainty to start the new season, but showed no sign of such worries come the beginning of a season in which he scored 8 goals from 28 Dutch Cup games, as well as playing twice in the UEFA Champions League. An expiration of his contract in 2005 meant van Persie would attempt, in vain, to sign a new contract. This, coupled with a disagreement with Feyenoord manager Bert van Marwijk meant that he spent most of the next season as a fading light at the club.

English Premiership

English club Arsenal, undeterred by their previous rebuff during the January 2004 transfer window, made a move for the young Dutch striker at the end of the 2003/04 season. Van Persie also emerged as a target for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, and Spanish side Sevilla. Arsenal fended off other club interest and signed van Persie, despite already having signed Spanish striker José Antonio Reyes from Sevilla. Van Persie completed his move, believed to be in the range of £3 million, to the Premiership on May 17, 2004. Praised by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger for the strength of his talent, he made his debut for the team in the 3-1 FA Community Shield victory over rivals Manchester United on August 8, 2004. He is touted as Arsenal's long-term replacement for compatriot Dennis Bergkamp.

He spent most of his time on the bench during earlier parts of the season and looked to have earned himself a permanent place there with his sending off against Southampton which cost Arsenal two points, and caused Wenger to display uncharacteristic anger with van Persie. To his credit, van Persie redoubled his efforts in training during his suspension and was reintroduced in to the team when injuries to Thierry Henry forced Wenger's hand. His return to the first team has been marked with numerous goals, the pinnacle of his achievements coming in the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn Rovers where he scored two stunning goals to secure victory for Arsenal. He also scored the vital breakthrough goal against West Bromwich Albion to help Arsenal secure second place in the Premiership after the Albion defence had proved difficult to break down.

Rape case

On Monday June 13, 2005 van Persie was arrested in Rotterdam on suspicion of rape. According to prosecution spokesperson Jei Chen de Graaf, van Persie was being investigated relating to an incident that occurred over the previous weekend. Van Persie was then held for a fortnight, finally being released on June 27 pending further enquiries. However van Persie bounced back from these accusations in his first game of pre season with two goals against Beveren. He also scored in a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the Premiership.