Before the Manchester United vs Arsenal game started, you always knew a couple of things - Arsenal fans would show their displeasure towards their former captain Robin Van Persie, the Dutchman would almost certainly score against his former club, and if or when he did score, there would not be much of a celebration.
That chain of events transpired exactly as expected, even if the timing of the goal - as early as the third minute -- might have caught everyone by surprise.
"I think it speaks for itself," Van Persie told Sky Sports when asked about his lack of celebration after scoring the opener in a 2-1 win. "I played there for eight years. I had a fantastic time there and I respect the fans, the players, the manager and the whole club. So that's why.
"It was a special day and in the end it was quite a game, I think we played well. We were a bit sloppy with chances and should have scored two or three more. But in the end we are happy with three points because that is all that matters."
Van Persie missed a couple of opportunities to increase the scoreline in the second half, with a particular close-range effort the easiest one, even if Vito Mannone made a brilliant save. "I thought that Thomas Vermaelen was a bit closer to me so I decided to shoot quickly," he added. "It was a bad choice because I could have taken one more touch and finished it. I should've scored two but I am happy with one.
"As I said, it was a special day. It was the first time I have ever played against my former club because I only have three. It was a special day but in the end it is about the game, which we won so I am pleased with that."
Meanwhile, the man who scored United's second goal Patrice Evra believes Van Persie has all the makings of emulating Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the former United striker who scored 95 goals in just 150 appearances.
"People can now see that Robin is strong mentally," Evra was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "He seems like he has played for us for many years and he reminds me of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
"I hope he can keep going because he can be one of the best, just like Ruud. I played with Ruud when I signed for United and I remember what a great player he was.
"They are both Dutch but it's more than that. They have the same class and touch when you pass the ball to them.
"(Robin) has started so well and I just hope he can keep going because, at United, you have to do that in every game."
