Mike Paterno
Let me just start by saying ‘surprise, surprise’. The inevitable has happened. Yet another Arsenal captain has decided to call it time. It seems to have become an Arsenal default - a player has some speculation over his future, so what shall we do? I know, give him the armband. That will solve it.
Like most of you, your first notification of the RvP statement came from (a) Spurs fans, (b) a southern Man U fan or (c) a fellow depressed Gooner. Mine came from option(b), a Man U fan that loves the club but has never actually set foot in Manchester (not that there are many of them who have!).
After reading the statement on Robin van Persie's official website, many thoughts were flying through my head. Firstly, that I gave it ten minutes before Samir Na$ri issued a plea for RvP to 'join him'. But what seemed to annoy me more was the manner of the statement and what appeared to be a lack of respect (not towards Gazidis, because if he is on a two-week holiday when he should be sorting out contacts, then he deserves it). Although I should say that Arsenal’s communications director, whose name escapes me, did Tweet last night saying he is not on holiday. It is a business venture. But to Wenger, the man who stood by him through all of his injuries. Phil McNulty, the BBC sports writer, wrote a good piece good piece about the statement and he seemed to agree that there was a lack of respect.
But the worst is yet to come I fear. If RvP does leave this summer, then who will it be to? Barca? Madrid? Juve? Or, dare I say, it City? I would like to think that the club would have got bored of selling players to City, but if they offer a good sum who knows? There was another piece in the Mirror this morning where the writer states that, if he goes abroad, he may keep his alleged status. Go to City and he just becomes another hate-figure. (There appears to be a growing list).
Worst of all for RvP, if Arsenal stick by their statement last night to make him see out his contract, then he could become a villain with the Arsenal faithful. This is not like Cesc, where he revealed his desire to re-join one day his boyhood club. We have been told that this is it, there will be no extension. I fear that may not go down too well if, on the opening day of the season, his name is announced, much like Na$ri endured.
Therefore, I think RvP has been a little clever. In many ways, he has cut all links. The bit about saying I will always love the fans coming just after saying he wants out is a bit like that awkward break-up where the other half says 'it’s over, but I will always love you' and then, as Kate Winslet did to Leo in Titanic, pushes you to the bottom of the ocean never to be heard from again.
The next week will be an interesting one. The club needs to act fast and resolve the situation, but, in my opinion I feel time is up, cash in. I'm sure the CEO will agree after his pockets are burning from Poldoski and Giroud.
Whilst I am writing this, my Twitter feed has gone crazy with reports that Alisher Usmanov has written a strongly-worded letter to the Arsenal board, although I can imagine this being like school, when your teacher gives you a letter to take to your parents about your behaviour and it strangely disappears (although I would just like to say that, if my Dad reads this, I’m talking about my friend!). Just put it in the filing cabinet under ‘shredding’.
Whatever happens, we should though remember that Robin has been a great servant to the club and has hung around during the trophyless years. I just believe the board needs to be sensible and try and sort out this mess, and, on a last note, don’t forget that Rooney ‘quit’ United and then signed.
Twitter@mikepaterno24
