Another summer and another star player is on the brink of leaving Arsenal Football Club, following the announcement that Robin van Persie will not be extending his stay at the Emirates. The story remains the same, as van Persie, following a prolific season that propelled Arsenal's season from mediocrity to another season in the Champions League, looks set to follow in the footsteps of so many Arsenal greats in leaving for a price far higher than he came for. Petit, Overmars, Vieira, Henry, Clichy, Adebayor, Toure, Nasri, Fabregas, the list is endless. Clear evidence that Arsenal are no longer a force to be reckoned with and further proof that they have now become a selling club with a football team that has to rebuild every season that passes.
van Persie's statement was bold, clearly critiquing the virtue of success being measured by how much profit can be made on players, as opposed to silverware, something avid fans of the Gunners have now been craving for 7 long years. Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger's philosophy is clearly to build team's through young players, refusing to pay hyperinflated wages, something which is admirable, yet also flawed in the modern game; a game now dictated in this country by the two Manchester clubs, and perhaps Chelsea once more as they look to build on their Champions' League success.
But anyone bitter about van Persie's outspoken claims should sit back and understand that a player, who carried his team for much of the season, scoring 30 league goals, at 28 years of age, wants to be playing at the very highest level, challenging for the biggest trophies. After a long hard season of being firmly in the limelight, the Dutchman then had to endure a dire European Championship campaign with his Country, so it is easy to see that he has become disillusioned by a lack of success for all of his efforts. Arsenal fans should not turn on him, therefore, but instead they should turn on the powers that be that are blindly abiding by their stubborn philosophy; a philosophy that is leaving them behind.
van Persie, in seemingly making himself available for a transfer, as Arsenal would not contemplate allowing him to leave for nothing next summer, has now sparked a frenzy of interest around the world, but one that could be narrowed down to the two Manchester clubs. City have long been admirers of last season's leading scorer, yet it is hard to see, for all his qualities, where he would fit in at the Champions, with an abundance of striking talent already gracing the Etihad. If van Persie is truly as hungry as his statement has suggested, he would ignore the overtures from Mancini and opt for City's rivals United, as the challenge of overturning the neighbours and regaining a 20th title is surely a mouth-watering and fascinating battle to face. Added to the fact that, at United, he would be assured as a regular starter, alongside Wayne Rooney, as United were often toothless in attack last season, lacking the fire-power to kill off teams as they have often been famous for.
At United, van Persie would become a star, and though a midfielder or two is a priority for Sir Alex, it would be hard to turn down such a prolific marksman, should he become available at an attainable price. If van Persie is as hungry for success as he is suggesting, surely Old Trafford is the place to take his career on to the next level, rather than at the blue half of the City where he would become another star name on a conveyor belt of mercenaries. If he had any sense, he'd choose to become a red.
