This is what I’ve been waiting for from Arsenal, for quite some time. We always talk about how many “leaders” this squad has, with something like 6 or 7 captains of international teams in our ranks, and a few future ones as well (Wilshere and Szczesny, specifically). Despite this, it’s rather hard to argue that this club is well led out there on the pitch, as mental errors continue to cost us points.

Since last February, this club has been needing a player who could put the squad on his back, and carry them to results. Yesterday, Robin van Persie was that man, and he showed everyone just how valuable he is to this club.

If there was ever a player who inspired me to adopt a Jerry Maguire (“Show Me the Money!”), it’s van Persie. Get this man whatever money it takes to keep him in an Arsenal kit, for as long as he wants. There’s no way Arsenal don’t come out ahead by keeping Robin Van Persie around.

The Gunners launched out of the gate today, with the most impressive spell I can recall in some time. Van Persie was right there at the front of the assault. His first goal was brilliant, a perfect finish from a lethal goalscorer. Hopefully, Gervinho and company took note of something they seem to forget every so often… when you give the ball to the Dutchman, magic happens.

Robin’s second effort on goal was one of the classiest attempts I’ve ever seen. Getting the ball at the top of the box, with his back to goal, he turns round the defender and with his right foot, puts an absolutely stunning lob directly over the keeper’s head toward the far post.

Only the unluckiest of richochet’s off the post kept Robin from a brace in the first 10 minutes. How he sensed, with his back to goal, that Sunderland’s keeper had left his line, I will never know.

After that, Sunderland clamped down, and Van Persie struggled to impact the match for quite awhile. The effect it had was obvious, Arsenal’s attacks began to stall, and the Black Cats began to get back into the game.

But true hero’s find a way to be heroic no matter the adversity. And Robin proved today that he is the truest of Arsenal’s hero’s, when he first won the free kick at the edge of the Sunderland penalty area, and then proceeded to score directly from a wonderfully taken attempt.

He took the Gunners from an evitable share of the points, seized the moment, and assured that Arsenal would leave the pitch as victors. You can’t ask for much more from a captain.

So for now, I don’t want think about his impending contract situation. I don’t want to think about where we are in the league table (top half now!). I just want to enjoy the football of a man who I consider to be one of the best forwards in the world. Keep giving him the ball, the magic man will produce miracles, I’m sure of it.