Let’s be honest, deep down, we knew he was off. I wanted to believe he would be convinced to
stay but it seems like his mind was made up by the time he sat down with
Arsenal…
Van Persie @ PFA Awards – he made no eye contact at any cameras;
he stuttered his words when giving his acceptance speech and paying tribute to
his team mates (the same ones who are now not good enough to win trophies). He ended
by saying he will speak to Mr Wenger about “two things and it’s nothing special”
– what ever that means!
Van Persie @ PFA Writers Awards – “Arsenal is an
unbelievable club. I am the player I am today because of them. I’ll set a date
to see the boss and Ivan Gazidis. We haven't set a date but we will be having a
meeting about my future and lots of other things.” And when asked on new
signing Podolski he said he was a ‘great signing’ – oh how that has changed!
Van Persie at West Brom Away –‘I love this club. Whatever
happens that will never change," Yeah we know why you said that now!
I am all for showing ambition and direction, and buying star
names may mean a better chance of silverware; so let’s go and buy Wesley Sneijder
and Arjen Robben and win the league. Would you like that Robin?
I would have thought the Euro’s showed Robin that having big
names does not guarantee anything. Watching Robin and Holland this summer made me appreciate the team
morale and spirit at our club because last season was as good as I have ever
seen it in a long while. I thought Robin would have appreciated that too.
Now to that statement; that
stupid statement. If a good player wants to increase his chances of winning
silverware, that’s fair enough. I accepted Cesc and Samir going even though I
did not like it! I have never given Samir Nasri any credit but at least he kept
his mouth shut and let Arsenal get the best possible price for him. Robin, on the other hand, has decreased his
value and Arsenal’s bargaining power completely by releasing such a stupid
statement. For someone who proclaims to love the club and have ‘great respect’
for Mr Wenger, he has a funny way of showing it. He has criticised his team mates by hinting
they are not good enough and clearly does not think much of Podolski or Giroud
by slamming the ambition of the club.
For me, it’s all about getting rid of him as soon as
possible before he starts being a disruptive influence. Remaining as captain
and gaining the respect of his team mates will now be an impossible task.
In Robin, we lose an amazing player and one who was brilliant
last season, but let’s not forget the other six and a half. I find the
statement even more baffling because of the way Mr Wenger and the club stood by
him during his darker days (i.e. injuries, getting arrested, low moments with
the national team etc). The manager has made many mistakes, like all managers
do, but the faith he has and belief he has over his players and the way he
stands by them is one of his best assets, and Robin has thrown it back in his
face.
I will never forget Chelsea
and Liverpool away this season and Robin made
it happen and for that I am grateful but for all the respect I showed him, I
expected some back.
Enjoy your life Robin because in my opinion, you have burnt
your bridges here.
Farewell.
