Yes, it's the news that every Arsenal fan has been dreading, their talisman Robin Van Persie wants to leave Arsenal. As a member of FA Cup Vinyl being an Arsenal fan themselves, they're not far from distraught. But let's take a look at why he wants to leave.
In a release on his own personal website Robin stated "Unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward. I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions."
So that's Robin's take on the situation, but what about ours? Well Robin has been at Arsenal for 8 years now, that's a long time especially in today's modern football society and there's no doubt he is going to be hot property after his sensational goal scoring record last season, 30 goals in 38 Premier League games is nothing short of spectacular. Arguably as well at the age of 29, it is his big last contract in football, so if he were to move it would be now. With Arsene Wenger acquiring two new strikers in Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, Arsenal fans will have to hope they can replicate the same kind of form shown by 'Van The Man', yes that's an actual name used by fans. Let's also remember from an Arsenal fan's viewpoint that he has been injury plagued as a striker in past seasons.
So who's interested in him? The question is really who isn't? Well surprisingly Manchester City are, as they are with every decent player in the world, but can Arsenal fans handle another player leaving to money bags Manchester City? Having seen the likes of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri leave the red of North London to go to the blue of Manchester, every Arsenal fan must be sick to the teeth of seeing this sight. Plus we get the sneaking suspicion that Man City are buying every good player so no other club can have them? Do City need him really, with them currently boasting a striker collection of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and every knobhead teenage boy's favourite Mario Balotelli or as they've cleverly nicknamed 'LADotelli' *sigh*. With Manchester United and Italian champions Juventus also interested as the 'Old Lady' have reportedly had an £8million fee rejected, it seems that Robin is not short of suitors.
The question is for Arsenal do they cash in on their captain, the PFA's Player of the Year and the Premier League's golden boot winner? Or do they keep him until next season, take a gamble by trying to sign him throughout the season, and then take the risk of losing him when his contract expires and he can leave on a free? It's an interesting decision and one that is down to the chief executive Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger to decide, we guess Arsene must be annoyed having seen similar ongoings with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last year and having being forced to sell them. Are we about to see the same for RVP? It seems to us, like it could be another ongoing saga at the Emirates Stadium this summer.
But what do you think let us know by commenting on the post below.
