Van Persie, Mancini scoop EPL awards

Robin van Persie was named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for October, while Roberto Mancini won the Manager of the Month award.

Dutch forward Van Persie was also awarded the Golden Boot for being the first player to hit 10 goals this season.

Van Persie had an incredible October, scoring seven times in three games including an outstanding hat-trick against Chelsea.

The 28-year-old has scored 28 goals in 27 games in 2011 and has helped his team climb to seventh in the table.

The Gunners captain scored two braces in October, against Sunderland and Stoke, both at the Emirates. He finished off the month with the match-winning hat-tick in the 5-3 win over Chelsea.

The striker said via his Twitter page: “First to reach 10 Premier League goals. Didn’t know there existed a trophy for reaching 10 goals!”

“But I have to slice the trophy in bits because some assists from the boys were (insanely) good! Thanks again mates! Looking forward to tomorrow!”

His former team-mate Samir Nasri, now at Manchester City, showed his support, saying: “Congrats mate on your award, fully deserve it.”

Nasri’s boss Mancini scooped the manager of the month award after guiding City to four straight wins with an average of four goals a game in October.

City managed an impressive 17 goals in the month, with four in wins over Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa.

Those were followed by a 6-1 drubbing of Manchester United at Old Trafford and last weekend’s 3-1 win against Wolves.

Mancini, whose side are five points clear of Manchester rivals United, last won the award back in December 2010.