Corey Kenny
Robin van Persie has our beloved club round his little finger and we’re all on a contract marathon, currently led by his ego. When the statement was initially released, declaring that his intention was not to sign a new contract, we were all quick to say ‘Oh no, our captain has left.’
The next day, the huge majority of Arsenal fans were claiming that we do not need him and he is not bigger than the club. To me that is just a way of hiding how we really feel about the current situation. We all want RvP to stay, right? Well, why are we then saying we can replace him. No, we cannot replace him.
We have not replaced Fabregas, and we certainly won’t be able to replace Robin van Persie. The only reason we got anywhere near fourth was because of RvP. The only reason we have finished in similar positions in the last two seasons is because we never had Robin for the huge majority of those seasons. Therefore, we have replaced the quality of Cesc with Robin.
If Robin van Persie had been fit in the 2010-2011 season, presuming he scored 30+ goals again, we would’ve pushed for the title, and the season just gone we would finish third and we’ll be saying we haven’t replaced Cesc because we would’ve gone downhill. Instead, we have settled for third place because it’s a two-point improvement on the last. 2011 was all about Cesc and 2012 was all about van Persie… the only reason we can say that is because we had someone ready to step up to the mark in van Persie to replace the loss of Fabregas.
Van Persie goes in a similar way to Cesc. Captain goes, the catalyst of everything good about Arsenal goes. Who steps up now? Because I can guarantee we won’t see a £20 million replacement for van Persie. Are we going to ask Gervinho to step up? There’s no guarantee Giroud or Podolski are going to hit the ground running, and there is absolutely no way we can expect Theo to be our main man upfront. Then we look to the midfield to dictate everything in a Cesc-esque manner. There is nobody in Fabregas’ league to score over 10 goals and be as much of an influence as Fabregas was in his seasons as captain.
These are the sole reasons why we cannot allow van Persie to leave. Let his ego think he’s playing us all around, just as long as he stays. For van Persie to leave, that would be the biggest mistake Wenger has ever made.
Arsenal plus van Persie equals top three.
Arsenal minus van Persie equals top six.
If Van Persie stays he can be an absolute legend, if he goes he’ll just be the new Nasri. But, one thing is for sure we have to do absolute everything to keep the man, because he is Mr Arsenal at the moment.
(Ed’s note – quick plug time and there is nowhere else for this to go… )
Riders of the Night
End of the Pier Show!
Live at the Elizabeth II pub
3 The Steyne
Bognor Regis
This Saturday (21st July) 8 til late
Bucket and Spade optional
