LONDON — Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was rewarded for his stunning goalscoring exploits in the Premier League by being voted the player of the season by his peers on Sunday.

The Netherlands international received the Professional Footballers' Association award after grabbing 27 goals to lead the scoring charts in England's top division with three rounds of fixtures remaining.

"If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it, Van Persie said.

"It is very special because you are playing against them week in, week out and every single player does everything to win and in the end, if they make up their minds that I'm the best player it is a big honor."

Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Joe Hart, Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney had also been nominated for the award.

In a rare injury-free season, Van Persie has carried Arsenal on his own at times after the team's poor start to its league campaign, scoring 34 goals in all competitions — a haul that included a mixture of spectacular and crucial goals with his trusty left foot.

Van Persie has scored against 17 of Arsenal's 19 rivals in the league this year equaling the record of former club great Ian Wright.