Cambridge Gooner
While many of us may have been expecting the sale of RvP to Manchester United, it is nevertheless a very bitter pill to swallow. Summer after summer, I have been saddened by the loss of players I have idolised, blindly defended and loved (in a roundabout way). Why does RvP hurt more than any of the others? Is it because, in eight years of faithful support, he thought one season was ample repayment? Partly. Is it because he was our club captain and best player? Less so; we expect as much. To me, the most painful part of the whole split is that the Arsenal management think it’s acceptable to sell a 30 goal-a-season striker to a Premiership rival and (aside from Spurs) our biggest enemy. This is a move that announces to the tide of smug, glory-hunting, classless know-nothing ManUre fans that we accept defeat – Man U are now, and will always be, better than us. Furthermore, it cements our position in the fourth place mini-league with odious company like Spurs and Liverpool. Chelsea have Torres, Man City have Aguero, Man U have Rooney AND Robin Van Persie, and we have one Frenchman who’s every bit as proven as a certain hapless Moroccan.
RvP is to me like the ex-girlfriend who could do things that no other girl could. Were he out of sight, he would most definitely be out of mind; unfortunately, we will be forced to run into him and his new boyfriend at least twice a year. This is likely to be an awkward affair as we acknowledge the fact that, while he may not be as good-looking as us, he has more money, a nicer car and gives RvP more than we ever could. We will be left with the sense of rancour and envy at how the newly-acquired premier league medal brings out the shine in Robin’s Judas-brown eyes. While ex-girlfriends get a forced politeness and deference, I suspect that Robin’s return to the Emirates will not be received so magnanimously.
Light at the end of the tunnel
I may sound like a complete madman, but I firmly believe that the departure of RvP may improve the squad as a whole.
RvP was like an object of immeasurably large mass in the centre of our team; the ball was drawn towards him, often when other players were in better positions. This effect may have resulted in the lack of belief and conviction exhibited by our other players when facing an opportunity to score. The likes of Chamakh - excellent in front of goal early in his Arsenal career when RvP was fulfilling his usual role (captaining the injury list) - are afraid to even attempt to score. This fear of shooting is a trait exhibited by every Arsenal player, with the possible exception of Vermaelen, Arteta and the Ox. In a team with a truly shared responsibility for scoring, the players may believe that they have just as much chance of succeeding as any other, and are less likely to be distracted by a gangly Dutch black hole.
The summer additions give much cause for optimism; Cazorla looks to be the real deal, Podolski WILL score any chance that falls to his sledgehammer-like feet, and Giroud looks lively and full of running. With the possible exceptions of Carl Jenkinson and Johann Djourou, Arsenal for the first time in a long time look to have strength in depth.
Possible further departures
As I type up this attempt to justify my bizarre mixture of bitterness and optimism, Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Arshavin are still Arsenal players. (Ed’s note – piece submitted before the Barcelona deal was confirmed)
My biggest fear for the coming season is that Alex Song and Theo Walcott will be plying their trade elsewhere by September - with Arshavin, I am somewhat indifferent. The lack of news regarding Walcott’s contract situation does not bode well for his chances of building on his bright pre-season in Arsenal red. The position of Song looks to be somewhat more secure. However, it would seem to this observer that Arsène Wenger is heavily invested in the Barcelona project, and would hate to stand in their way were they to make a serious bid for our midfield battler. (Ed’s note – once again, you know the rest…)
I hope that all of my optimism is understated and that all of my worries turn out to be completely unfounded. Either way, this season will be a telling one.
