Transfer News: Robin Van Persie decides not to renew his contract; the ultimate betrayal

I woke up this morning, like any other morning, and the first thing I did was to check Eurosport on my phone. Like I do on any other day. I guess I was expecting nothing of much substance to appear, as usual.

How wrong could I have been?

I have been telling myself over the past couple of months that even if Robin didn’t decide to sign a new contract then I could deal with that. I would understand his decision, and whilst I would think it is a poor decision, I wouldn’t really have an issue with him moving on. When I read the statement I was furious. I had to go the whole day at work today in an incredible rage, not a pleasant day at all. I was telling myself all day that when I get home I will cook dinner, have a beer, settle down, and dissect his statement on here for everyone and have a bit of a vent.

I started to read it again though a few minutes ago, and I was just getting too angry. In hindsight I guess it was pretty obvious that unless he was pushing for more money or more activity in the transfer market and using his contract as a bargaining tool, that he was not going to sign a new contract. Okay that’s fine, that is his decision after all. But his statement is unforgivable. He has basically made it impossible for him to stay at the club any longer. How it is that a player (let alone the captain) thinks that they have the right to release a statement saying that they have irreconcilable differences on the direction the club needs to take is beyond me.

Why not just release a statement telling the fans that you won’t sign a new contract, and that he feels it is time for something new? He has basically made the ultimate insult towards the club and Arsene whilst attempting to make it sound like he has done the right thing by the club. If he didn’t sign a new contract and PSG, Barcelona or Madrid had come knocking then I’m sure we would have sold up, and that would have been the end of it. This is a clear tactical move likely conducted by lawyers and agents in the background, and I have no doubt that this move has been a long time in the making. I personally find that the little addition at the end about Ivan Gazidis being on holiday, when in fact it sounds like he is not at all is the final straw.

I personally can’t see any reason why Robin would do such a moronic thing unless he wants to move to Manchester City. Shame on him.

I guess it is possible that he is just trying to pull a Rooney and force the clubs hand even more? But that is so unlikely I’m not sure why I have even considered it.

As our honourable captain recently said:

“If you ask the likes of Robert Pires how he feels, what he feels like he will say ‘I feel like a Gunner’ – and whatever happens with me I will always be a Gunner.”

I’m sorry Robin, but I don’t think I will be able to say that I think of you as a Gunner anymore. I’m not sure you are worthy of the title. I have often said that for me, players like Ryan Giggs and Allesandro Del Piero are the absolute legends of the game, whilst players like Ronaldo are not. Robin has made a serious mistake, and instead of being an absolute club legend, building a legacy for himself, he has instead allowed himself to become just another player who will follow success around clubs.

Some of you may think that I am being a touch harsh here. Feel free, but right now I don’t think I will ever be able to really fall for an Arsenal player again.

Also I would recommend that everyone reads Alisher Usmanov’s open letter to the board:

http://www.irishgooners.com/2012/07/05/alisher-usmanovs-rw-holdings-issue-open-letter-arsenal-board/

–Lachlan

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Category: Arsenal News