The Dutchman has netted 27 times during a prolific season for the Gunners in the Premier League.
"If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it," he told BBC Sport.
"If they make up their minds that I'm the best player it is a big honour."
The 28-year-old was also selected in the PFA's Team of the Year.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28 |
| 2 | Manchester CityMan City | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 23 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 19 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 |
| 5 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
| 7 | Fulham | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 18 |
| 8 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 18 |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 16 |
| 11 | Brentford | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
| 12 | Bournemouth | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 13 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 15 |
| 14 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 12 |
| 15 | Leicester CityLeicester | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 10 |
| 16 | Everton | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 10 |
| 17 | Ipswich TownIpswich | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 8 |
| 18 | Crystal Palace | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 7 |
| 19 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 6 |
| 20 | Southampton | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 21 | -14 | 4 |
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