Ever since coming through the ranks of the Feyenoord youth academy, there was little doubt that Robin van Persie was a star in the making.

The attacker immediately impressed in Rotterdam, and earned himself a transfer to Arsenal after only three seasons in the first team at the Stadionclub.

Van Persie took his time to fulfil his immense potential at the Premier League side, though, as he has only in recent years become one of the best forwards in the game.

However, the way he has matured at Arsenal in the past two seasons has earned him the praise of his manager at the Gunners, Arsene Wenger, who feels the Dutchman has done a great job both on and off the pitch.

“Yes [he has exceeded my expectations], not on the quality of his game though because I expect a lot from him. It is purely football technically. The way it goes beyond my level of expectation is the number of goals he has scored, that is for sure. Where he is sensational as well is as a captain. He has done extremely well on and off the field.”

Yet things have gone less smoothly for the attacker with the national side. Van Persie made his Oranje debut in a World Cup qualifier against Romania in 2005, and scored his first goal in only his second match for Netherlands.

Van Persie continued to shine for Oranje at the 2006 World Cup as he netted once in Holland’s opening game against Ivory Coast, while also featuring in the Dutch’s remaining games. Nevertheless, Netherlands’ tournament came to an early end after losing against Portugal in the round of 16.

Holland were determined to do better at Euro 2008 two years later, and the former Feyenoord forward once more impressed in a free role from the right. Two goals in four appearances made him one of the stars of the tournament, but it was not meant to be for Oranje as Russia proved to be too strong in the quarter-finals.

Whereas many expected the 2010 World Cup to be the occasion where Van Persie would step up after some impressive displays in the warm-up games, the tournament would become a big disappointment for the attacker instead. Oranje went on to make it to the final, but the Arsenal star hugely disappointed as he seemed uncomfortable as his side’s lone striker, and scored only once.

He then missed a number of games due to injury, and Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar impressed with a number of outstanding performances during Van Persie’s absence.

The attacker will be high on confidence, though, after a hugely impressive season at club level. Van Persie singlehandedly helped Arsenal to third spot in the table with 30 goals in 38 Premier League appearances.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman realises that a tough task awaits Oranje in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

“It will be quite tricky because we have a really tough group - the first game against Denmark, then Germany and Portugal. Even after the group stage, we will have a really tough task. So if we win it, then for sure we will really deserve it."