Villa defender Dunne: Arsenal's Van Persie up there with Shearer

Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne rates Arsenal captain Robin van Persie among the best strikers he's ever faced.

Villa are at Arsenal this weekend in the FA Cup.

"Different strikers pose different threats and problems for defenders," Dunne told the Daily Mail.

"I would say Robin van Persie is on a par with the very best because of his speed of thought in front of goal. His record for Arsenal over the past year is fantastic.

"There are others who rely on their pace, like Henry, and he would certainly come close to making it into my top three, but there has to be a place for Alan Shearer, whose strength, ability to win free-kicks and goalscoring ability were first class over so many years.

Finally, I would have to go for Wayne Rooney. He's a mixture of Van Persie, Henry and Shearer, really. Quick in his mind, strong, sharp with his movement and deadly with his finishing."