London: Arsenal's Robin van Persie was named the 2012 Footballer of the Year by England's Football Writers' Association, just days after he won the Professional Footballers' Association award.

The 28-year-old Dutch striker, who has scored 27 Premiership goals for Arsenal so far this season, topped the poll of journalists with an overwhelming victory ahead of Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, reports Xinhua.

"The quality of his goals, attacking movement and consistency in a turbulent season for the Gunners has been eye-catching," said FWA chairman Steve Bates, chief football writer at The Sunday People.

The FWA award was instituted in 1948. (IANS)