Robin Van Persie, gone in 60 seconds* « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger; coach of the decade

By Critic

So it happened again. The guy who single footedly led arsenal to third place(with valuable contributions from his teammates), the guy who became the new face of Arsenal FC, it’s new found spirit and wore the cursed armband of captain has all but said he intends to leave arsenal FC as soon as possible.

Most of the gooners saw it coming. I didn’t. I desperately wanted to believe that this time it will be different. After long period of dark nights, dawn was finally upon us. I bet most of the gooners even saw faint light in the form of established signings like Mertesacker, Podolski, Giroo and arteta. It turns out that faint light wasn’t the sun but a candle held by a zombie which scared the hell out of gooners upon closer inspection**.

One can make a movie out of the events which happened before the saddening declaration by RVP. Ivan, Arsene and RVP held talks earlier in the summer. Then Arsene came out in open stating how he believed RVP should repay the faith shown by the club in him by ending his career at arsenal. RVP camp sensed that they might not be able to move before playing another year at arsenal. Chances that RVP will get injured in the next season are kind of 50-50. Same can be said about chances that he can keep such level of performance in the next season. If he gets injured his stock might go down dramatically. It’s obvious that they want to cash in while they can. Get that one last bumper contract before retiring or playing your trade in lesser leagues. Strictly from an employee point of view, I kind of agree with him and I think most of you would also. I mean who would refuse to double their pay check. Each one of us has families. So does RVP.

The manner in which he leaves is debatable. One half of mine is happy that he came forth straight and declared his true intentions. No dilly-dallying, no flirting with different clubs and then deciding whether he should leave or stay and where he should go if not staying. He might already know it but what I mean is thank god it didn’t drag all summer. As it was the case with cesc nasri and adebayor. The other half is really pissed. By clearly stating he doesn’t agree with club’s philosophy he has pretty much said he wants to leave NOW. That really handicaps arsenal’s position to bargain. Other clubs will know that this is an unsettled player and might use cheap bids to unsettle him further. Only a club war for RVP might, might recover his true value for arsenal. But ask yourself this which club really needs RVP at the moment and can pay his true value of around £25m? Real Madrid? They already have Higuain, Benzema and Ronaldo. Barceloan might do with an extra striker but are utterly broke. In fact spain banks are in grave debt. Who’s gonna lend crazy money to Barca and Real for a player that they really don’t need. Don’t forget he won’t be signing for peanuts. Mancity have Auguero, Balotelli, Tavez, Dzeko and Adebayor. Juventus might be a good option but who would want to play in Italy in his prime, at present (No disrespect). Same is the case for france and PSG. I would be really surprised if RVP leaves for them. Only remaining club that can pay handsomely as they are in dire need of proven goal scorer (I am being completely emotionless while I type it but I think RVP statement has already killed most of the emotions that gooners had) is Chelsea FC. That would solve his problem of relocating his family. He could stay with his family in London. I can imagine fans reaction to it, strengthening your local rivals and all that. But in return Arsenal will be rewarded handsomely and can use that money to strengthen ourselves (or balance the book which is also necessary). At this point I admit I would love to swap RVP for torres, but chances of that happening are very slim. Anyway, that thought is for another day. Concluding this paragraph could RVP had done something to satisfy my both sides? He could have stayed and become a modern day legend at arsenal.(by modern day I mean for current generation)

Where does all this leaves arsenal? Thinking logically, chances of him having another season like this with arsenal are higher but still I am not gonna bet my house on it. He might get injured in the pre season and could be out for the rest of the season. Depreciating his own value in the process. That’s the main reason he is looking to get out while his stocks are still at the premium. That’s why people thinking – it would be wise to keep him for another year, are way wide of the mark. He won’t stay. Implication of him leaving from squad point of view or tactical point of view won’t be dire, as I believe arsenal have moved on early and have replaced him adequately. At least on paper. BUT he was the heart and soul of arsenal FC last season. He was the only known world class player through which arsenal could have sold themselves to new fans/won over hearts of many existing ones. He brought never die attitude and a rejuvenated fighting spirit to the team. To be quite honest I think he was the last remaining member of Arsene’s fabregase project. Other established players looking at arsenal right now might think, hang on a second this club isn’t serious about winning anything/there are just too many transitions here. I should leave as soon as possible. And sadly this cycle might go on.

But putting on my red tinted glasses with arsenal badge blocking my vision, this could work in arsenal favor. You have to look no further than 2007-08 batch. Henry left, hues and cries all around, we are doomed and BAM! We were title contenders for good part of the campaign and finished just 4 points below champions (because….you know it already). Ramsey could be this term’s fabregase. I would have said wilshere but he had an absolute nightmare of injury. He might share responsibility from January onwards (If we survive mayans prediction). Giroo could play adebayor’s role and podolski will be german emperor marshalling the troops and striking fear in opposition half. He even has that troll smile which he could flash towards RVP after winning the title or two. My point being due to lack of a focal point everyone will be raising their game. If arsene can convince (which he will, always does) his established (song,arteta,mert,verm,kozz,sagna,,,,) players in the project, in his vision of winning the title when majority thinks arsenal is just a selling club, fighting against majority view, fighting for each other, fighting against all the prediction (even mayans’) then I think Arsenal can achieve anything. Sure the morale will be down at the moment, but if we fans during pre season (looking towards Africa, china, malaysia and hong-kong)  can show that we really believe in arsenal (come up with positive banners and chants) then it can lift the team up to higher echelons. Never underestimate the power of belief. It’s infectious and it’s the only thing that we can do right now.

We shouldn’t act like RVP and BELIEVE.

*It took me 1 minute to realize the full situation regarding what just happened hence the title.

**May be it is the zombie of some superhero and is trying to help us in his afterlife.

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