Berbatov vs Van Persie

Commadus

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Sep 27, 2009
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I was having a jolly debate with an Arsenal supporting friend until it came onto who is a better player - Berbatov or Van Persie.

After quite a long discussion it boiled down to this - Van Persie is overall the better player but Berbatov gets it because he is not injured all the time like VPS so his contribution is better overall.

Anyone agree / disagree?
 
RVP has scored plenty of goals the last few months, if he was fit during Arsenal's better spells they surely would've finished higher.

My issues with Berb is in the last third of each of his seasons with us hasn't produced.

Both top players, both different types of players.
 
I think I'd say Van Persie's in that top class bracket while Berbatov's just a level below.
 
The silk purse is a better finisher and has more pace (so would probably be more suited to utd than Berba). In my opinion Berbatov is superior in the build up play, holds the ball up more effectively and has a better first touch. They're very different forwards so it's difficult to pick one or the other. Clearly Berbatov has contributed more to his team than RVP this season.
 
Brwned said:
I think I'd say Van Persie's in that top class bracket while Berbatov's just a level below.
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I would agree with that but doesn't VPS injury record count against him when it comes to impact over a season.

RVP in 7 seasons - 230 apps / 95 goals / 53 assists
Berba in 6 seasons - 230 apps / 91 goals
 
Scoreboard Red said:
RVP has scored plenty of goals the last few months, if he was fit during Arsenal's better spells they surely would've finished higher.

My issues with Berb is in the last third of each of his seasons with us hasn't produced.

Both top players, both different types of players.
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You could argue that he doesn't get the opportunity in the final third of the season.
 
Van Persie is better than Berbatov IMO. Barring Injuries RvP would've been in the top bracket of strikers along with the Torres, Rooney etc
 
Van Persie. When he is fit he is one of the best strikers in the world. Can score from anywhere, take a good set piece and has a great all around game.
 
Van Persie and I don't think its close. Berba has a better touch, but RVP is better at set pieces, one v one, more dynamic, more forceful personality, movement.
 
evra said:
The silk purse is a better finisher and has more pace (so would probably be more suited to utd than Berba). In my opinion Berbatov is superior in the build up play, holds the ball up more effectively and has a better first touch. They're very different forwards so it's difficult to pick one or the other. Clearly Berbatov has contributed more to his team than RVP this season.
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Disagree - RVP has had more impact on Arsenal.

RVP 18 goals + 7 assists
Berba = 20 goals + 4 assists
 
Van Persie is way better, don't kid yourselves.
 
Scoreboard Red said:
By all means mate but then you ask why and it's because he hasn't produced in the several chances he's had...
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Well this season that's not the reason. It's because a young Mexican lad burst onto the scene and surprised everyone.

As for who's the better player. Van Persie probably edges Berbatov out in this one but it's a close call.
 
While Berbatov has better composure and ball control, Van Persie's the far superior finisher and just seems more of a goal threat. In which case I'd prefer the latter as being my frontman.
 
Personally I think that RVP is the better player, not be much - but I think that he has a bit more in his locker and is a level above Berbatov.
 
Raees said:
Van Persie and I don't think its close. Berba has a better touch, but RVP is better at set pieces, one v one, more dynamic, more forceful personality, movement.
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this.
 
Bryan_Munich said:
The question was who is the better player though.
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It's still Van Persie, Berba's talented but when you're comparing him to RVP who's technically right up there and matches Berba for awareness, it comes down to non-technical factors, and RVP is superior to him in those aspects.
 
RVP is the better player, but he can;t go a full season without getting injured.

His freekick taking needs a mention too, we lack someone as good as him from free kicks.
 
KM said:
Huge exaggeration, there's no way that Van Persie is way better than Berbatov.
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yes there is. Berbatov is perpetually overrated by your lot because of his touch, but he doesn't do nearly enough with it to justify the hype.

Van Persie delivers the goods in all ways when he is actually fit.

One is a world class striker. The other has a world class touch but falls short overall.
 
Both have plaued 230 times in the EPL but the key differentiator is that Berba has done it in 6 seasons compared to VPS 7. Also Berba has had to face tougher competition for his place than VPS who if fit will always start.

VPS will be 28 in August whilst Berba will be 31 next January - about 2 years difference.
 
Trigg said:
Well this season that's not the reason. It's because a young Mexican lad burst onto the scene and surprised everyone.
.
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Berbatov was dropped in favour of Hernandez even whilst still on 'form', Ferguson simply doesn't have faith in him for the big games as evidenced the last three years...
 
Raees said:
It's still Van Persie, Berba's talented but when you're comparing him to RVP who's technically right up there and matches Berba for awareness, it comes down to non-technical factors, and RVP is superior to him in those aspects.
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I disagree.

Berbatov is 'technically right up there' and I'm not convinced RvP matches him for awareness and vision either.

What non-technical factors?
 
Bryan_Munich said:
The question was who is the better player though.
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What determines a 'good footballer' for me is how well he plays his role. As a striker that would have to be Van Persie IMO.

Its like those Veron vs Scholes debates back in the day. Veron had sublime ball composure and could have been deemed the more talented player, but Scholes was far the more effective player in our midfield.
 
Van Persie is the better player but I'd rather have Berbatov in my squad as you can't count on RVP to be fit for more than 5 minutes at a time.
 
Commadus: What's happened to you? Didn't you really really really hate Berbatov?
 
Van Persie for me.

As has already been mentioned, it's his fitness that lets him down. Not his talent.
 
RedKaos said:
What determines a 'good footballer' for me is how well he plays his role. As a striker that would have to be Van Persie IMO.

Its like those Veron vs Scholes debates back in the day. Veron had sublime ball composure and could have been deemed the more talented player, but Scholes was far the more effective player in our midfield.
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Fair comment, I still maintain that Berbatov is the superior footballer though.
 
Berbatov and RvP both tend to disappear in big games. However RvP is the better striker but I'd rather have Berba considering he can actually stay fit.
 
B9 said:
yes there is. Berbatov is perpetually overrated by your lot because of his touch, but he doesn't do nearly enough with it to justify the hype.

Van Persie delivers the goods in all ways when he is actually fit.

One is a world class striker. The other has a world class touch but falls short overall.
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Get a grip, he's one of the most criticised in the squad.

Commadus said:
I would agree with that but doesn't VPS injury record count against him when it comes to impact over a season.

RVP in 7 seasons - 230 apps / 95 goals / 53 assists
Berba in 6 seasons - 230 apps / 91 goals
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It does absolutely but it's hard to factor injury-proneness into a debate over a player's overall effectiveness, I think. At the end of the day even with Van Persie's poor injury record and inherent unreliability you'd still take him over Berbatov if given the chance.

He's gotten 76 goals (and 43 assists) in his last 4 seasons. Not so shabby for a player who's fit for most of the season never mind someone with his injury record. He's done this in 124 starts (and 24 subs).
 
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