After one brilliant season at Arsenal in eight years, Robin van Persie has told Arsenal that he will not sign a new contract with the Gunners as he disagrees with Arsene Wneger on the direction and future of the club.
On his web site toiday, RVP write an open letter to Arsenal fans giving his reasons for not signing a new deal with the club: Here is what he said:
“As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss and Mr Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days
“Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.
“I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years. As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.”
Woud love to know the difference between Wenger’s and RVP’s view of the future direction of Arsenal. RVP’s says that he wants to win trophies. is he saying that is not Wenger’s and Gazidis’s goal?
So what do Arsenal do now? Obviously RVP will be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, and then Arsenal need to decide whether to sell him or make him play out the last year of his contract.
Juventus have already bid £8m and Manchester City are thought to be willing to offer around £20m. RVP’s dad said a couple of months ago that van Persie would not go to another Premier League club. We will see if wages of around £200,000 per week change his mind.
To put van Persie’s fantastic season in perspective he made 38 starts for Arsenal last season. In his previous seven years at Arsenal he made a total of 111 starts. Add in that he is 29-yeras-old and spending £20m on a signing fee and £10m a year in wages would make this a potential £50-60m investment by City or Juve. Is van Persie worth that?
What do you think of RVP’s announcement? Were you expecting it? Does Arsenal keep him or sell him now and where do you think he ends up next season?
