Robin Van Persie is making the headlines again today, after it was revealed that he is refusing to go on the Asia tour. He wants to force a move out of the club, with Man City, Man Utd and Juventus all said to have made bids. He is turning down the opportunity to earn a reported 150k a week and a massive 5mil signing on bonus. Now I know that is not as much as he is being offered elsewhere and I am not going to disillusion myself and say that I thought he would be more loyal to the club.
But is he moving for the money or for the trophies? Lets disregard that whole statement he released on his website last month. We cannot trust its validity, we can conclude that it was released to force his way out and to make fans feel sympathetic towards him and angry at the club.
He has 3 offers:
1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3.Juventus
Manchester City won the Premier League last season on goal difference, despite the gulf in squad size and quality to that of Manchester United's. They have little history and the titles they win are not based on morals, philosophy or dedication but rather on the unlimited supply of oil-money available.
Manchester United did not win any trophies last season, yet have a relatively large squad, are the most popular football team in the world and have a massive history. They are in massive debt and have spent big money on players, but not nearly to the extent of their neighbours.
Juventus went unbeaten in Serie A last season and came out as eventual victors after a tight race with AC Milan. Now that Milan have sold their two best players, one would think that leaves Juve with the favourites tag going into next season. They are a well known and historic football team, housing names such as Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon among other greats.
If Van Persie was chasing the trophies, an obvious choice would be Manchester United. Not only are they most well known for their abilities on that front, they also have one of the best managers in world football and are always competitive at the top.
If Van Persie was chasing money, he would join Manchester City. One may argue that they are well placed to challenge at the very top of the Premiership and the Champions League next season, yet have showed flaws such as squad disgruntlement and a lack of unity. They have no history and have little to no experience in the Champions League.
If Van Persie wants guaranteed trophies and bag loads of money, Juventus would be the obvious choice. They are willing to pay him 300k a week and are in a very healthy position going into the start of next season. They are a stable club on the rise.
I am seriously disappointed that Van Persie is so unsettled that he refuses to go on the Asia tour. It shows selfishness and arrogance which we are better off without. We are better off with players who know their place and are willing to fight for the team.
I don't care whether he goes or not, where he goes or doesn't, I only care about what we do about it. If we get 20mil for him, I expect us to buy a replacement. To sell him and not buy a replacement would be ludicrous and would start something of a riot. We are sick of selling our captains. We are sick of selling our best players. We are sick of being also-rans. We can run the club as self-sufficiently as we like, but we have to make full use of the money available.
We haven't done much this summer. We have bought 2 players, but what since then? Sold Carlos Vela. That's it. Where's the other signings we desperately need? Why is it taking so long to get rid of players? It seems the club are slipping back into last summer. We are not in crisis. We are well placed going into next season, with a solid core. But we need to finish off the squad ASAP. The clock is ticking. We have less than a month left. There is still hope, yet the longer we let this drag on, the lower confidence goes. We desperately need confidence.
Come on Arsenal!
'Till Tomorrow
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