Van Persie nets win but no record

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie netted the decider in Saturday's 1-0 defeat of QPR but failed to break the record of Premier League goals in a calendar year.

The Gunners skipper came into the match knowing he had 90 minutes to net twice and equal Alan Shearer's 36-goal haul.

Van Persie came close on four occasions during the first period, before netting with his first chance of the second half. The Holland international swept home Andrey Arshavin's pass but a second proved elusive as Arsenal ended 2011 with a victory.

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