Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has expressed his delight at his superb goalscoring form in 2011.
Gunners captain Van Persie equalled Thierry Henry's club record of 34 Barclays Premier League goals in a calendar year when he scored a penalty in Arsenal's 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Van Persie now needs three more goals from the home matches against Wolves and QPR to beat Alan Shearer's top-flight record of 36 goals in a calendar year.
The Dutchman insists his main focus is to help Arsenal continue their impressive recent form, but he admits he is proud to have equalled Henry's record.
"It's a big honour because Thierry is probably the best player Arsenal ever had and to achieve that in a year is really special," he told Arsenal's website (arsenal.com).
"I am really proud but it is not my main target. But as it has happened, of course I am really happy."
Van Persie believes his phenomenal scoring rate this year can be attributed to his fitness and his willingness to take risks.
"I didn't miss one Premier League game [this year], and in most games I played 90 minutes, so when you have a good run and feel fresh and fit you try things," he said.
"You take a few more risks than perhaps you would when you are coming back from injury. When you don't have a run, you don't really try things.
"As a striker it is really important to have a go. If you feel like having a chip or cutting the ball instead of shooting [you should do it].
"If you look at my performances, I take more risks now because I know that, with the team I have behind me, I will get more chances.
"It's not as if I will only get one chance - I always get one, two, three maybe four in a game, so I can take a risk here and there."
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