When I saw the announcement on Arsenal.com last night the first thing that came over me was... relief. I was grateful that the whole thing was over. Now we could look forward to the season without having this saga hanging over our heads. I must reiterate that this sale was not the fault of Arsenal FC. We did all we could to keep him but his demands were over the top. It was Robin's decision to leave and he must live with that now. In the process, he has soured his relationship with everyone related to Arsenal. With Juventus and Manchester City unable to come up with the fee, it left only Man United to deal with and they stumped up the cash. 24mil for an injury prone striker who is going into his 30's is not too shabby. I'm left in a state of anger and disappointment. Robin Van Persie seemed committed to the cause. He seemed to care, to have an understanding of what being a Gunner meant. From that picture of him sitting on his bed in an Arsenal jersey when he was a kid, to when he rallied the troops last season through what was a difficult campaign he genuinely looked the part. Now it will all be forgotten. We are going to get that 24mil and we must reinvest it to make up for that sale. If we don't and we go into the season without reinforcements where we need them then we can start being angry. I don't feel we need another attacking player. There needs to be players bought in the midfield and defense.
Alex Song is almost definitely on his way out. He is on the verge of a 15mil - quite a paltry sum for an experienced Champions League midfielder - move to Barcelona. I am not totally against the sale. His attitude has been dismal and he thinks way too highly of himself. If we get that money and use it for Capoue or M'Vila that will be progress. I know many of you will have fallen in love with his silly bleached hair or his ridiculous tucked in shorts but to be realistic he has to go. He made his contribution and proved to be a decent midfield option but has not done his defensive record any good. His duty is too protect the defense and if he isn't prepared to do that then its best he leaves.
Let's not forget we have recruited Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla. Three players who will go a long way to making us a much improved team. We should still be buzzing with their signings but this Van Persie thing hasn't let us. A defensive midfielder, a deep playmaker and a right back will complete a good summer. We survived with Van Persie on the treatment table all those years, we will survive without him now.
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