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Why Mr Van Persie IS as big as the club

The captain cannot be allowed to go

19 July, 2012 10:00 52 comments
Why Mr Van Persie IS as big as the club

RVP: Would his departure leave AFC dead in the water?

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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

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52
comments

  1. CanadaGooner

    Jul 24, 2012, 21:23 #24751

    @ Kevin Britton - empty seats dont cost the club anything mate. Shirt sales in china alone take care of that (not to mention TV money). Fan's presence at the games is nothing these days; that's why the owner dont give a hoot what we think

  2. kevin britton

    Jul 23, 2012, 21:23 #24720

    if RVP leaves it will be a great loss,this is a big club with no big ambition but to only qualify for the chaps league. then the only songs i will sing is big club no ambition & your getting sacked in the morning, pointing at wenger, & sack the board. i love this club but if they dont do some thing soon then there will be alot more empty seats, & this will cost the club

  3. Sweeps

    Jul 23, 2012, 15:16 #24718

    Our problem is letting in goals. We would have been challenging for the title if we would have brought a Cahill or we we had some defensive coaching hopefully Stevie Bould will sought it out.

  4. Ron

    Jul 23, 2012, 10:34 #24716

    The RVP situ cd be worse It cd be like Modric's. Makes me glad ive more or less dropped out of football, apart from following it via whats left on terestrial TV. What a bunch of over rated, over priced over ego d knobheads most footballers are. You guys who are still going to be paying through the nose to go to Arsenal are truly welcome to it.

  5. Block G Gooner

    Jul 22, 2012, 23:28 #24714

    But we still have Diaby..........so don't panic. Winger knows!!

  6. johnnyh

    Jul 21, 2012, 16:42 #24706

    this really is becoming boring. can arsenal fans please stop getting so wound up about this? we scored goals before van persie and we will score them when he leaves. sell the injury prone tosser to the highest bidder and buy lewandowski from dortmund.

  7. Any Old Iron

    Jul 21, 2012, 14:47 #24705

    Wenger some years ago: '' There's been a shift of power.'' This when it was us challenging Man U. That shift is now with CFC and MCFC. MUFC will not surrender. We are now quietly sinking away into ingnonimity. These are the lean years of the painful decent my friends. The constant flux at the club is too great, and building a team to conquer will need change at the top. That ain't in the horizon, alas...

  8. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 21, 2012, 12:31 #24702

    Well said Joe S.I expect the DDT ivan and arsene can't wait for Jack and the ox to make an impact as their all they have left to make a profit on.

  9. Das Boot!

    Jul 21, 2012, 12:16 #24701

    Some years ago, I Imagined that the bust of Herbert Chapman that occupied it's honourary place at Highbury would one day be emulated by one of Arsene Wenger, say a bronze statue at the Emirates. NOT ANYMORE! His star for me has waned, as has my club's fortunes(on the field). All the indicators are that we are heading for another ignominious season under his tutelage. He will not be shaking everyones hand again I fear.

  10. Mark

    Jul 21, 2012, 11:31 #24700

    how can RVP be the new nasri when he has given everything since he came here as a boy ? if you cant understand the reasons behind him wanting to leave then just be quiet because you shouldnt then spend time turning people against him you should spend that time trying to understand better why this is happening. you will be a better person for it

  11. Joe S.

    Jul 21, 2012, 6:20 #24699

    I'm sure all of us are feeling reassurance after Arsene's fighting stance on the clb remaining competitive this season: which in Arse. speak means what exactly? "forget the championship, but we'll be hovering someewhere between 4th - 8th" in other words. "Competive" is such a vague word when used by football managers. Every club is competive as long as they don't get beaten by more than two goals.I have this horrible sinking feeling that Arsenal FC are in for a an average season. Let's face it few players want to play for us and so much of our optimism depends on how quickly Jack and the Ox can make an impact. But even then I expect that they'll want to move on to greener pastues.So I can't see any end to Groundhog Day..... UNLESS!!!

  12. Mandy dodd

    Jul 21, 2012, 0:56 #24697

    Gee, you say the manager is weak minded, yet most on here say he is stubborn and intransigent. You guys cannot have it both ways.

  13. Gare Kekeke

    Jul 20, 2012, 18:01 #24692

    No individual is bigger than any football club. RVP, Wenger, Kronke et al are not bigger than The Arsenal. Period. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs their heads examined. WE the fans are the club because they depend on us to dip into our wallets to buy tickets, merchandise etc....when the TV & European Cup money dries up. Sell RVP for at least £20m with add-ons. End of. The club are wasting their time & energy if they try to play some stupid game that RVP must honour his contract as a sign of loyalty & ‘love’. And whilst I’m at, do the same with Walcott & Song if they plan to take the same stance as RVP. Up The Arsenal!

  14. Dan h

    Jul 20, 2012, 14:07 #24682

    @Highbury boy,Tony Evans & Peter Wain excellent posts.The real issue for me is in years gone past PV4 & TH14 sagas the summers when we thought we would lose them really used to fill Arsenal supporters with dread not now not for me.RVP like Fabregas previously has made his decision no point keeping him injury history aside last year of his deal he would be pulling out of games left,right & centre.Nasri situation all over again but whisper it quietly at least he went on tour & played against Liverpool as we had signed nobody & had an injury list that looked like an episode of casualty.The club has drifted along steady loss of talent accepted compensated by player trading profit.The silence from the club this summer will be broken in the next few days as the summer tour begins.'Moneyball'Wenger will speak but sadly quite a few of us no longer listen save the spin for the boardroom & his 'boss'IG they seem happy the direction the club is heading.

  15. Bertie Meeee

    Jul 20, 2012, 13:47 #24681

    Lol. Gooner infighting and civil war. So great to watch!!!!

  16. Gee

    Jul 20, 2012, 13:42 #24680

    We have a weak board and weak minded manager who is obsessed with development. Any board wort their salt would have sacked wenger years back. He's got 2 years left on his contract. Will he be offered a new deal sometime this season? My betting is the start of next season he will be offered another 3 years and that will be a total of 12 seasons without a trophy. Not bad for £7m per annum

  17. Moscow Gooner

    Jul 20, 2012, 11:56 #24677

    All this angst about one player is unwarranted - it s just a symptom, not the problem itself. Face facts: until we drive Kroenke - and I m sorry, Wenger as well - out of the club we re not going to move forward: we ll simply slide slowly backwards. Last season a dodgy keeper at WBA got us out of jail - it won t happen again: this season - without RvP - we ll finish 5th or 6th. After that...who knows, 8th, 9th, 10th? A couple of seasons out of Europe and you can say good bye to the 'sustainability' model.

  18. Highbury Boy

    Jul 20, 2012, 11:18 #24675

    Surprise surrprise RVP is not going on tour.Perhaps this particular transfer saga will be over without VP being forced to play against Sunderland and signing for City just before the deadline. Thus our last star player follows the path of the other captains. The upside to all this is that I no longer care if any of the others go. We will be spared another summer transfer saga around our stars because there aint any left. We've been wiped out.Yes I know that Wilshere and the Ox may one day fulfil their undoubted potential but they have some way to go before the ambitious wealthy clubs come after them. Until then we can relax. Btw Gee it's a nice idea to collect £40m for "that dross" and save £31m on wages but we have to live in the real world where the rich clubs like City and Paris SG will think nothing of paying fees of £25m and wages of £250k pw for the top players like VP but there is very little demand for average players on high wages and long term contracts. It looks like the only way will be more loan deals with the clubs they go to paying something towards their wages and the hope (like Vela) that they impress enough to make the move permanent. Don't hold your breath though because until a new manager comes in and takes a realistic look at the squad the majority of the squad will stay.

  19. HERD

    Jul 20, 2012, 7:09 #24657

    We havnt replaced Patrick Vierra let alone Gallas or Fabregas !

  20. ed enough.....

    Jul 20, 2012, 6:42 #24656

    Absolute Garbage.....Mate, go elsewhere and watch your football....you clearly have no idea what your on about...Just another idiot happy to finish top 3. Better players have left the club than RVP. 1 decent season and everyone thinks he is a messiah....Pathetic!!!!

  21. CanadaGooner

    Jul 20, 2012, 2:25 #24654

    RVP with his single good season is no where near being as big as the club (even in the club's current sorry state)

  22. the_drizzle

    Jul 19, 2012, 23:13 #24653

    well... what if he gets injured again? we cant exactly say it was unexpected. if that happens and we are left without any talent or transfer funds to compensate, top six will be the least of our concerns. the other downside to van persie is that he masks greater problems within the offense. aside from theo's one-a-month flashes of brilliance, we have no other scoring threat among our mids or back wings. and didnt our center-back and a loanee just tie for third in total scoring? thats absolutely unacceptable. another factor is that we have forwards with potential value sitting on the bench. bendtner had a good showing at the euros, and we all know chamakh has some scoring potential buried deep with that faux-hawk. im not saying they need to become regular starters, but thats still talent that we might use and hopefully sell for value.

  23. Yanto

    Jul 19, 2012, 22:13 #24652

    It is NOT about our captain not being allowed to go..it IS . IF he does stay (and we all know he won't) but for arguments sake say the club refused to sell him, there is NO WAY he could or should remain Captain. He's sh*t on his chips so get rid for as much money as possible, not that, That matters because the money will not be re-invested in a player or players, we have already seen the sum total of Arsenal's Spending this season ...and it is yet another step backwards towards mid-table obscurity. Kroenke OUT! Gazidis (his hand puppet) OUT! Wenger OUT! Hill-Wood OUT!

  24. DW Thomas

    Jul 19, 2012, 20:19 #24649

    Wenger's newest comments on FFP show that he will never change/adapt to deal with the big money of Chelsea and City. He truly believes he can win without replacing players like Cesc and RVP who both carried the team (given in different ways). If a few more quality signings are not brought in for depth and injuries, we very well could finish outside the top 4 or 6. We only qualified for CL on the last day because West Brom's keeper gifted us the game. 19 points off the top two and 49 goals shipped says we're miles away. No one with a rational mind thinks we can keep up with the spending at City or Chelsea, I mean look at who they buy each year, the losses they take, and then who they sell on. Two things: If Chelsea sell Benayoun, we should buy him up cheap. A good squad player with a tremendous work ethic (Wenger didn't seem to like him till he needed him most). Second, even though our funds are kept tight, we cannot not replace Cesc or RVP and think we can compete for the title. Nobody brought in in the last few years has been already world class (even Nasri hasn't been replaced with an equally good player!). Sure, Arshavin had a good Euros 2008, but look how he turned out under Wenger. The writing is on the wall. Our best players will always want to leave for more money and chances at titles if the trophyless years continue. Can't believe the lack of discussion in the media by good pundits about how Arsene keeps his job each year with the results he has had. This is a performance industry--win or move on. Some only get half a season to prove themselves (Hodgson and AVB). Yet Wenger has unbridled power and top salary now season upon season-with no titles, not even close (save 2008). At least buy the finished product in terms of players and make a strong effort to trim that 19 points down to a few.

  25. underacheiver

    Jul 19, 2012, 19:23 #24648

    I see Wenger is bleating on about FFP out there in the east , the day after Chelsea have been sponsered by Gazprom, probably for an absurd amount of money. When o when is Wenger going to rejoin planet earth?

  26. Gloucester Gooner

    Jul 19, 2012, 18:46 #24647

    So again with RVP according to you we are still only on 3rd place.? Come on if he wants to go then go he must. There are no loyal players these days its all to do with £££££. sad but true

  27. Au Revior Wenger

    Jul 19, 2012, 18:33 #24646

    @Toks One better we finished 19 pts behind the 2nd place club we lost more games and conceded more goals than the previous season.The results say we were worse.Wenger and Gazidis need to come out and tell us the fans why once again the club has let one of our best players contract go into the final year.How has it been allowed to happen?Earn you f******g Money you two tossers.We will never ever be a big club under the ownership of Kroenke

  28. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 19, 2012, 16:56 #24645

    Agree Peter Wain and also Tony Evans i'm fed up of hearing we need CL football to compete we need CL football to attract the best players we need CL football to buy the top players what top players ? where are they ? whatever the CL money is being spent on it's not top players bargain buys more like.

  29. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    Jul 19, 2012, 16:33 #24644

    I'm not having a go at you here Gee, but your solution sounds a bit too Championship Manager to be realistic. Besides which I wouldn't be leaving Arteta out of the starting eleven.

  30. Canterbury Gooner

    Jul 19, 2012, 16:21 #24643

    As big as the team, but not the club. You're bang on with your analysis with Fabregas though: the best midifielder in the world leaves and Ramsey playing the role of playmaker afterwards= shocking! I'm resigned to this season being a disappointment, we're 7-8 players short of a trophy winning squad, but maybe losing CL football will trigger some change.

  31. King Henry

    Jul 19, 2012, 15:28 #24642

    Anyone who thinks RVP is staying hasnt taken their medication today.The same people who thought the club would keep Cesc and Nasri.Arsenal PLC is all about making money.To sell RVP for £20m is making money.Why do you think we have already bought Podolski and Giroud? No the questions need to be asked to our nutty manager who said "SELLING FABREGAS AND NASRI WOULD MEAN WE COULD NO LONGER BE A BIG CLUB" .12 months later we are selling our best player again.Wenger was right for a change we are no longer a big club.We are a feeder club for the real big clubs to pick off our best players every summer.But hey ho just look at those lovely profits

  32. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 19, 2012, 15:10 #24640

    Its not the first time a player has had our club wrapped around their finger over the last two or three seasons and RVP wont be the last.But why have they been allowed to get themselves into that position in the first place.I would have no problem with him staying although very unlikely. All the fans that loved him and now don't for what he said would soon fall back in love after a hat trick against the spuds.Players can be replaced it all depends if it's like for like or on the cheap and we all know what our option is.Many great players have come and gone mr arsenal himself TA to name just one and they were missed just like cesc was and RVP will be.But no player is bigger than the club and as george graham found out no manager is either.

  33. DW Thomas

    Jul 19, 2012, 14:51 #24639

    Make no mistake. RVP did carry this team last season. Sure, football is a team sport, so others are important, but how many really important goals did he score? How many more losses would we surely have had if he was not in the squad? No one is irreplacable, there are players who can replace him or Cesc. But, Arsenal doesn't replace their stars. They ship them off at their peak or just past and bring in substandard players. Ok, Pod and Giroud might do alright, but we needs some good defenders after 49 goals against and climbing. 19 or 20 points off the title winners is a long, long way off from contending. Spurs are now our rivals. Sure we finished above Chelsea, but look who they had, have bought, and what they won, despite not being a very good squad in the league. They got Hazard who I think will come very good for them. Another good player we lost to a rival. The sad state of the club since 2006 just gets me down. We almost win the CL, had 2 years prior an Invincible season, and now look who we are? Happy to finish 3rd or 4th. You win titles by actually being able to challenge for them. RVP would help that, no doubt. But like many have said, his statements show he wants to leave and sees no ambition here. Unless...is it all a ruse of some sort? If he goes and is not replaced, unless we're in the top 2 all year and close to the leaders all year, it is again a shambles for this club. Just looking at the players we've lost over the last 7 years is depressing. But, hey, we might sign another unproven 17 year old from France. Maybe he can win us the title!

  34. Alan from Aylesbury

    Jul 19, 2012, 14:11 #24638

    We have accept the fact that RVP is moving on and get the best price we can for him and invest that in the positions that we all know need urgent attention.Still need to declutter our squad and get quality in don't know if its true but Chelsea are having a clear out and Yosssi is in the frame,would love to see him back with us thought he was excellent for us last season.

  35. Gee

    Jul 19, 2012, 13:39 #24637

    Cleanse the Squad. IN Podolski £11m, Giroud £12m, M'Vila £16m, Goetze £35m, Llorente £25m Total outlay £99m. OUT Squillaci, Diaby, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamakh, PArk, Bendtner, Vela, Almunia, Song, Mannone, Van Persie. Total incoming for that lot of dross will be £40m MINIMUM. YET THE WAGES SAVED OVER THE YEAR WOULD BE £31m!!! With £99m spent and £40m received for fees this gives us net spend of £59m. BUT wait for it we have received £26m for sale of land and STILL have £50m in the bank. This means we still end up with £17m left in the bank!!! Again this is minimum scenario in terms of the financials. You could also pay the new arrivals £75k a week each right off the bat and be in a better position in terms of wages. I know this again is unlikely and represents a high end worse case scenario but shows that we have the means to create a rock solid competitive squad First Team Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, M'Vila, Wilshere, Goetze, Podolski, Llorente, Chamberlain. Plus squad players like Mertesacker, Santos, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, Giroud. That is the basis of a solid squad that would challeng on all fronts and is affordable Get it done Wenger We know he won't. VP will leave on Aug 31 for £25m and cash is in the pocket. AGAIN

  36. Mark from Ashtead

    Jul 19, 2012, 13:27 #24636

    Sadly I fear that this is likely to be an academic debate as think he's probably 90% certain to go. To me there's no point breaking your heart over a major star wanting to leave to cash in as he enters the last part of his career. However I do think that we have every right to expect AW and the Board to do the right thing, and for me that's about letting RvP go for the right money (£20 - 25+), providing that it doesn't allow him to go to a domestic rival, period. We have to be prepared to hold him to his contract in extremis. I also have to say that even if we got an acceptable bid from say Juve and decided to sell, I don't see any evidence supporting the notion that the club is in any way likely to spend the funds generated.

  37. The Noise

    Jul 19, 2012, 13:19 #24635

    Gone past caring to be honest... Yet another big name leaving simply because we are now a joke of a club with no ambition. Can't say I blame him for wanting out at all!

  38. Keb Brutre

    Jul 19, 2012, 12:48 #24634

    It is very unlikely that RvP will stay. Mind you he is only a tackle away from an injury that will keep him out for a long time. We would have to cope with that if he were to stay. I think that Arteta was a very good buy last season. He might not quite have as quick an overview as Fabregas, but he certainly is the better player defensively by far. We certainly need another creative midfielder and perhaps another striker, but I think we will do just fine without RvP. You will see that in the next 2 seasons rival clubs will not be able to spend as much due to the UEFA rules. It will even out things in due course. People need to have patience and keep an open mind as to what is really happening...

  39. Tony Evans

    Jul 19, 2012, 12:32 #24633

    Peter Wain - I agree with your response to this article. The big question for me is will Arsenal change course if, or more likely when, we fail to secure CL football this season. I used to worry about the consequences of finishing outside the top four; namely loss of revenue and loss of kudos meaning that we would not be able to attract top players to the club and would also lose the stars we do have because, let's face it, most players do not feel the bond to the club that we do and will be off quicker than I can say 'Diaby is injured' if they feel they can do better elsewhere. I must be stupid because it has taken me about 6 years to realise that CL football has not mattered a jot as far as Arsenal as a football club are concerned. No really top players are signed, we lose are best players anyway and all it has secured is Wenger in his overpaid job. I have regretfully come to the conclusion that failure to make the top four may be the only way to oust Wenger or at least make the powers that be at the club realise Arsenal can't continue as they have been and expect to stay competitive and for us fans to just meekly go along with it. I don't think I can stand Arsenal limping home fourth yet again and Wenger telling me it is as good as a trophy. The question is will a 5th or 6th place finish make any difference - I have reached the point now where I am prepared to see if it does.

  40. billthered

    Jul 19, 2012, 12:20 #24632

    Lets start by saying our policies are all up the wall.Why do we pay mediocre players superstar wages,I dont have to name them we all know who they are.Lets get real if RVP wants to leave just for medals then I suggest he goes north to Celtic where it is a forgone conclusion,but I think big wages are what he wants and we all know where that road is up the M6.If we can somehow marry silverware with big wages for big stars then we would have no worries about keeping big players.So in conclusion lesser players on lesser wages would free up funds for bigger names and trophies simple.

  41. Angry & Frustrated

    Jul 19, 2012, 11:18 #24630

    No individual player or person can ever be as big as the club, although I understand the point you are trying to make. There is sadly today however one person who not only thinks he is bigger than the club, but actually believes he is the club - Arsene Wenger or at the very least behaves like it is!! Regretably many supporters also believe this to be the case, which is what gives him his power base!

  42. Graham Simons

    Jul 19, 2012, 11:06 #24629

    In case people have forgotten we actually finished a place higher than we did the previous signing. I'd take Arteta over Cesc any day of the week. I actually like our recent transfer policy of moving towards signing players closer to their peak such as the two forwards. If RVP goes - good riddance is all I can say. We need to share the goals around anyway and not be too reliant on one player. Wenger's teams will always create goals and if Podolski end up contributing 50 plus goals collectively rather than having us reliant on Robin I think we're much more likely to deliver some silverware.

  43. Bryan

    Jul 19, 2012, 10:57 #24628

    I don't agree with you at all, I would like RVP to stay but losing Fabregas was a bigger loss in my opinion. I also don't think RVP is anything like Nasri & I dont believe its about the money, for a start he is older & has given Arsenal 8 years & won 1 trophy. You can understand wanting to win things & also he is right that we are not showing to much ambition theses days. & to all the idiots who say he only gave us 1 good season, what a load of rubbish, look at the amount of goals he scored & if you divide them by 30 (a good total for a season)it works out as 4 & a half seasons lol RVP is not bigger than the club & Arsenal will do fine with or without him

  44. Bard

    Jul 19, 2012, 10:44 #24627

    While RVP was undoubtedly world class last season, it was his first, so in reality he's hardly been the bedrock of the club for the last few years in the way Cesc was. Its major because he's the latest in the line of top class players leaving Arsenal, a trend that shows no sugn of slowing down.In order to keep competing even for a top 6 place it requires Wenger to keep pulling rabbits out of the hat and it obvious to us as fans that he's on the decline. We go into the new season with 2 new unproven strikers and a midfield of er Ramsey Song and Arteta. Good though they are none is of them are world class. Yes I know we have Jack but he's been seriously injured for a year. It will take him months to get his form and fitness back. He's unlikely to be amajor player this season. Does Wenger honestly think we will be challenging with that squad ? Pigs flying comes to mind.

  45. dukey

    Jul 19, 2012, 10:38 #24626

    Wilshere missed all of last season! he is close enough replacement to fabregas he's got it all! Arsenal need to make a decision soon, to let his contract run out would be a disaster!

  46. chris dee

    Jul 19, 2012, 10:33 #24625

    So we keep Van Persie and finish in the the top three and he becomes a legend? B******s. Players become Legends when they win trophies for the club. Which is why run of the mill players like Andy Linerghan and Steve Morrow who both scored goals in Cup Finals to win trophies are far bigger players in the clubs history than Van Persie or any other 'superstars' in the current team. Mr Van Persie wasn't so unhappy with the clubs 'direction' when he was in and out of the treatment room for 6 years was he? So Mr Van Persie can p**s off

  47. Ron

    Jul 19, 2012, 10:11 #24624

    Sorry, But youre wrong. No one player is that vital, esp one whos had one full season in 8. If 20 Million is correct, its a snip. The Clubs real problem is not having already had other strikers in its lightweight squad, not him leaving.

  48. JonGunner

    Jul 19, 2012, 10:05 #24623

    No, RvP is great - but so was Henry! The reason why lots of Arsenal supporters say we will be fine without him is because we trust that Wenger (as has proved many times) can fine a worthy replacement. Arteta is as much a key player as RVP. A keen Podolski & Giroud are much better than an RvP who doesn't want to be at the club. I think sometimes Arsenal fans should stop thinking its doomsday when a player leaves, our team is developing into a much better team than we have had since moving to the Emirates. And I think we will most certainly win something this season!

  49. Toks

    Jul 19, 2012, 9:55 #24622

    No one player is and will ever be bigger than the club. I knew that when Henry left. Besides take away Theo, Gervinho and Arteta and RVP's goal tally last season is significantly less. Even he will tell you that. It's the short sightedness and sensationalism in fans that would make them say something like this, but never have I heard someone bring their club beneath one man. This is shameful in my opinion. You would've probably said the same when Cesc left; yet we went a step better last season.

  50. Peter Wain

    Jul 19, 2012, 9:28 #24621

    Surely we should be asking ourselves why is Arsenal a selling club? Every year we lose our best players ans replace them with mediocre (at best) new players. Next transfer window no doubt Wiltshire will be the one who is being talked about. I do not think that you can blame all of the players who have left for this situation. The owner, the board and the manager are to blame and whilst we may not like Usmanov the point he makes in his open letter is valid. What have we done to stop this situation arising again and why when the last six years have seen us get weaker and weaker is the starategy not reviewed. Clearly this style of management does not work and indeed with the money Man City and Chelski throw at players it cannot work. It seems to me that the board have given up competing in both the transfer market and on the pitch hoping that we will retain CL membership on a shoestring. When as seems likely we lose this source of income will they then alter course. Doubtful as they are only in it for the money. So we have the situation that every year we are now starting off competing for one position in the league namely fourth and everything is geared to that. We do not invest in top players because that costs to much money rather we buy cheap young ones and if they show promise we sell them in their early twenties with their best years a head of them. The only thing we are best at is ripping off our supporters who have no alternative to pay higher prices for lower quality. This cannot be allowed to continue.

  51. Kevin Tonkinson

    Jul 19, 2012, 9:18 #24620

    Wishful thinking, I'd like to tell him that he signed a contract and has to stick by it but it would hardly be productive to keep him at the club given the statement he released.

  52. HighburyJD

    Jul 19, 2012, 9:17 #24619

    nonsense. RVP is awesome, one of the best strikers in the World but no striker carries a team. Undeserved last minute winners only work if you haven't shipped goals already. Arteta was as important as RVP last season (hardly won a game without him) but people would have to watch more than highlights to realise it.