Joe Mardon
On Tuesday, Arsène Wenger wrote the following in his Eurosport blog:
"We want to keep Robin van Persie at all costs, because we depend on him offensively. I have always supported him even in the hardest times, and I hope he will end his career at Arsenal."
Obviously riled by Arsène's words, Robin van Persie and his camp (including Darren Dein) replied in kind with two fingers, releasing a statement outlining a refusal to extend his contract, whilst publicly questioning the direction of our club.
"This is an update for the fans about my current situation." Note, the statement is for us, the fans. Not himself. The following statement by Robin van Persie will be of no benefit to Robin van Persie.
"I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the club and as agreed with Mr. Gazidis and Mr. Wenger, but since there is so much speculation in the media, I think it is fair for you guys to know what’s really going on at the moment."
"Respect". "Loyalty". "Fair".
"As announced earlier this year, I had a meeting with the Boss and Mr. Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all." Not discussed? He wants us to believe that his team have not at any time, even wondered out loud, as to how much Arsenal would be willing to pay? That seems naive. Is that not what an agent is for?
"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days."
"I", "Personally", 'have been f***ing great, but my team mates? Those I captain? Not so good.'
"Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans, I don’t want to go into any details."
"Huge respect" for Arsène, whose whole vision you are about to belittle, the players who you've already alluded to as being inferior, and the fans, whose club you are about to s**t on. Some respect.
"....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."
Sincere apologies, Robin. What players did you want Arsène to sign? Did you have a formation in mind? Let's play fantasy football (you're in charge of course). Who will you pick? You've got £100m. Let's see how much money you've got left to spend after you've paid yourself, the star of RvP FC.
I wonder, if we'd let Thierry Henry pick and chose the players in 2004, whether he'd have thought to sign a Dutch teenager with a temperament almost as questionable as his jeans?
"You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions." We do. You're on the **** list.
"I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens."
Stop now, Robin. The stench of bollocks is overwhelming.
Let me state that what Robin van Persie is saying might well be true, but this does not mean he is right to say it. Had Robin questioned the club’s direction having already left, there's no issue. "I had to leave Arsenal because...". He is the captain of Arsenal Football Club. He talks of respect, loyalty and fairness, before releasing words which fly in an opposite direction all together. Words that drive down any transfer fee, whilst belittling "the Boss" and his team mates.
I understand the cravings of a world-class 29-year-old footballer to win things. I understand his frustrations and disbelief in that happening at Arsenal, and serious questions have to be raised of the board and indeed the direction. Treading water until 2014 and sponsorship renewals? How long will Red & White Holdings leave it before passing comment? Darren has set it up nicely for Daddy and the Russian.
The romantic side of me, the side in which my morals reside, thinks that a player whom Arsenal nursed and remunerated through seven injury-ravaged years might offer more than one good year before f***ing off, but that's football. That's footballers.
