Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has joked about his critics over the way he uses Robin van Persie.

Van Persie has scored 28 goals in 27 Barclays Premier League games for Arsenal in 2011.

"And still people tell me he is not a centre forward," said his manager Arsene Wenger with a smile after the Dutchman's hat-trick in the 5-3 victory at Chelsea.

"How many goals does a centre forward need to score? He's a different centre forward but he is a centre forward."