Robin Van Persie, signed by Wenger in 2004 was just a mundane transfer in the clubs history. Back when he kicked ball for Feyenoord, he was hot property taking into account the KNVB award he picked at just 17. That award stood for "
best young talent". It was a significant mark before an exciting future as he put pen to paper to sign his first professional contract to stamp a three and a half year move to his home-land club. He went on to score a hand full of goals before a fall out within the Feyenoord camp. Both he and manager, Bert Van Merwijk, failed to see eye-to-eye leading to numerous statements from Merwijk claiming Van Persie's attitude to be uncontrollable and something that he refuses to deal with. A demotion thrown at Van Persie resulted to him playing with the reserves as well as a tense climax that saw him sent home from the 2002 champions League qualifier against Real Madrid. Now I am sure there is more than meets the eye particularly a hidden agenda behind the transfer that seen Robin so eagerly depart to Arsenal. It was an easy motive to leave his first professional club considering he spent most of 2003-04 season on the bench.
Note: SBV Excelsior is the youth club Robin Joined at the age of 14. After less than a year in their presence, a fall out between manager, and a rough relationship with his mother lead to the eventual departure resulting in his transfer to Feyenoord.
Now, while it would seem quite pathetic to pick on a such a talent at a young age in terms of personal behaviour, his past experience with clubs and the managers that run them seem quite appropriate taking into account the statement Van Persie left to Arsenal fans across the globe on Wednesday the 4th.
“
Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but 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.”
Well what a surprise! No really, what a surprise! He was approaching nine years at Arsenal, a club that in a way stuck with what can only be described as a crash dummy with numerous faults! Through-out his career there is no doubt that when he played, he played well. His ability and overall presence could change a game in an instant. Did he have that gift when he was at Feyenoored? nope! Obviously players change and grow over the years, but to be quite frank, no club could have developed Robin the same way Arsenal have done. As time went by, so did his career. Arsene Wenger, a father figure to most players at the club (Apparently), showed time and time again his patience with such a talent. There is no doubt that Wenger went to sleep at night considering a transfer for Van Persie, particularly over the past 3 years at least. But yet Robin should consider himself lucky due to the severe stubbornness of Mr Wenger.
The Million dollar question: Can we challenge for the league title when this eventual transfer does proceed? YES! Any fool could say no, particularly myself as I can be quite pessimistic when it comes to Wenger's philosophy. But in terms of who, why and how we have lost key players over the years, particularly in the most recent transfer windows, our third place finish is an acceptable achievement!
Okay, I hear you, "
But...but, Van persie scored all the goals for us? we would be lost without him!"
True, but an obvious fact taken into account the oblivious presence of strikers such as Marouane Chamakh, Bendtner, Park, Vela and Joel Campbell! I am not believing for a second that Van Persie alone dragged us to third. Like many, Arsenal is a football team! Team being the key word. The squad in no doubt supplied Robin with the goals that shed some light back onto a player who has not been there for Arsenal in the past.
Ground-hog day? Remember Bill Murray's character? well, he is the equivalent to each and every Arsenal fan that has had to witness the same owl bull every season! It seems simple routine for us to hand away our best talent every time a player gets impatient...or greedy! Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure, Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas! Thierry's departure was the right time. As for Alexander Hleb, well you know you messed up mate.
My last paragraph reeks of the colour blue! "
MONEY MONEY MONEY" (Abba is the band on each and every players Dre Beats at the Etihad Stadium). The scary thing is not necessarily the departure of Van Persie, it is to who he will join. It will hurt to see him join City. The power at that club speaks for itself. Already you have little deceiving "
Rats" like Toure calling out for Robin to join the money train. It is highly understandable when a player wants to win things, respect. But when a player like Van Persie gives his best and longest run of games in one season decides he has had enough? I find that unacceptable. Why? well his glass body has shown proof over the years leading to lack of consistency and overall appearance. I believe in my heart that he owes Arsenal (more to Arsene) the rest of his playing days and I speak for the rest of the "
Gunners" that if he proved man enough to sign for another three seasons with the club, with numerous signings by his side, we, and him would achieve at least two trophies come season 2012/13 (the League title and maybe Carling).
What is that you say? he still has a season left? not good enough! Plus I would rather bring Nickolas Bendtner back than let Robin go on a free! (Honestly). If that is the sacrifice we make as a football club, so be it. I just pray to god that if Robin does not come to his senses and pushes further for oblivion, Wenger must, for the first time in a long time have a valuable replacement!
Where do we go from here? We get this saga over and done with. Arsenal fans have grown tired of these transfer dramas being dragged so far "
beyond the thunder-dome" that it affects our start to the new season. Van Persie's statement last Wednesday could not have been more blunt and severe in terms of the judgement of both manager and owners! (fucking yanks). Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski is a step in the right direction...well about one step to be frank! Podolski's club rep is not convincing and his recent spat in the European Championship did him no favours. Oliver Giroud is french so kind of sums up Wenger's motive behind that signing! As I type I am suffering with sever flashbacks in relation to our last signing from the french league! Let's just say I hold high-hopes for Giroud. He is tall and strong with possibly a better chance at heading the ball than both Chamakh and Bendtner! (Both were signed for heading ability correct?). Third time lucky please god...
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC,” Robin van Persie added. “Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch. I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years.
It is awfully frustrating to see Wenger purchase two strikers (Podolski on the wing also) since the season climaxed. Of course we argue till the dogs come home about Wengers lack of signings but the most recent activity from the manager seems an element of De-Ja-Vu in terms of mediocre players. I mean does Arsene believe what he has brought in so far to be an immediate replacement for the Van? or better yet a solution to convincing Robin to stay by yelling "
Look at me Robin, I am buying players...now will you stay?"
Unfortunately we all know that is not the way it works. It seems just like the previous gifted players to depart, it is one year too late for Wenger to keep last seasons top scorer. I mean come on, no disrespect to Lukas and Giroud, but could Arsene not show some courage and actually bid for a striker that every club craves? Surely that means the striker has talent am I right? I mean if Barcelona, City, Man United etc are chasing a player, surely you also want that same guy because clearly these players are born and bread trophy winners! So bid and see what happens. If that same player chooses to join elsewhere fine. At least Arsenal can say to the fans look? we tried...
We all know the truth is really in the french pudding! Arsene is not only stubborn with the clubs income, but afraid to compete with clubs over players that actually make a team, not break one! Sure, the folks behind the club can babble on about how they are still reforming a project in relation to the youth coming through the clubs ranks etc, but the average fan needs an opinion also. Not saying that concept has not worked in the past...that is the past! The future is now. Plus if we do give birth to someone fresh he will be snatched up two years down the line if the club do not get their act together. That there is the harsh truth about the youth Arsenal produce or the rookies we buy. We form them and then sell them. Again that is me being extremely pessimistic. Do you blame me?
The five year trophy drought (Six if the window is dry) is the obvious scent that is driving potential players away from the club!
Solution? Text Van Persie now and ask him to sleep on it! Same answer as before Robin? Fine. We need to sell him and do it quick! The two recent signings are not the calibre we need to combine a force to be reckoned with next season! I mean that is what we want right? "
Lean, mean grilling machines"! Men not kids! The manager needs to sit down with a glass of the finest french red wine (the blood of Nasri) and consider the ambition within the players and the club itself. Who wants to be there? Who loves the club and who likes the club? Obviously there are others beneath the rubble looking for an escape route or perhaps those who are simply not good enough to play for Arsenal.
We need a mixture of talent combined into one strong element! Success is the key next season, with or without Van Persie. A departure that is by-far not finalised but indeed seems the likely result for Robin. I wish him all the best with the rest of his career, wherever he goes for he has been fantastic in Arsenals most desperate of times. For all he has done, there will always be a level of despise from the fans towards him for all he done and the more he could have done...
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