OFFICIAL: Robin Van Persie declines extending contract at Arsenal
UPDATE: The club has released the following statement following Van Persie’s surprise announcement:
“ We have to respect Robin’s decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the Club.
“We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenal’s best interests in mind.”
The news all Gooners were waiting for and dreading finally came today as Robin Van Persie via his official site released the following statement:
“This is an update for the fans about my current situation. I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the club and as agreed with Mr. Gazidis and Mr. Wenger, but since there is so much speculation in the media, I think it is fair for you guys to know what’s really going on at the moment.”
“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 FC 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 FC. 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 8 years. As soon as Mr. Gazidis is back from his 2-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.”
Now for some clarity before I go on – while this does not say he is off, it should not be mistaken as way of saying – we’ll wait and see. It is plainfully obvious that the plans Wenger and Gazidis laid out for the club don’t mesh with Van Persie’s desire to win.
Robin is on his last contract and it is likely that he is of the mind that he needs to win now. I am sure the vision extended to him was one of continued building over the long-term while trying to win something. Not exactly lining up with his desire I would fathom. But that is speculation – still though it is a daming indictment of the backroom plan for Arsenal right now.
So what does it mean. It can’t be good. Arsenal really only have two plays now. Sell him for the best deal they can get or force him to see out the remaining year of his contract. Either scenario is dicey. By issuing the statement he has, Robin has likely lowered the amount Arsenal can get for him. No club is going to pay £30 million for a player that has basically said he wants out.
However, if Arsenal force him to see out the year, I find it hard that he won’t be a dissatisfied player. Will they truly get the best out of him even if he is playing for a contract for his next team? Even a player who in this eloquent and thought out statement professed his love for the club would be happy if they were forced to play.
The ball now is only in Arsenal’s courts and now with chum in the water the sharks are certain to circle around. I suspect teams that weren’t technically in the picture but linked like Barcelona and Madrid may start to enquire more actively. City will likely get involved but they do have the problem of having 6 strikers under contract and will need to move at least 3 to be able to clear the space and salaries. Juventus still seem likely but they are reported to only want to go as high as a £12 million deal.
For Robin there is a slight gamble as well. He has an 18 month run of success. He has been healthy and has been prolific but for someone who was here for 8 years he spent most of the time warming the trainers table. Should he get hurt at his age there is no guarantee he will get back to the form he is enjoying right now.
For Arsenal this is as I said damning. Can Wenger and Gazidis allow this to happen for a second consecutive summer? Can they allow the club’s biggest names to leave and still as Wenger said last year – be seen as a big club. Remember there is the case of Theo Walcott as well. Theo and Robin are pals. And there is some speculation that Theo was waiting to see what Robin was going to do. If Robin leaves then it is likely Theo will seek to leave as well. That would then make it two summers in a row that we have let 2 very big players go.
You have to wonder loudly again whether the management team is capable of understanding the environments of the current football landscape. The signings of Podolski and Giroud are good. But now based on Robin’s statement it seems they are as some speculated moves to replace Robin after his departure.
Fans have the right to question – what the hell is going on at Arsenal that they continue to allow this to happen.
For my part I will say as I always have. I am disturbed that this club no longer is taking the steps necessary to retain its prized assets. That being said I couldn’t care less if Robin leaves. The last time I checked my club isn’t Robin van Persie FC its Arsenal FC. I support the club not players. Players come and go. The club remains and through the thick, thin, sublime, outrageous and frustrating I will support the club I love.
Stay Goonerish!!!
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@DaAdminGooner,
my point exactly, dag. this crap has been going on for years, even before wenger got there. it’s nothing new. wenger gets the 7 million a year because he’s one of only a few managers who could get arsenal to continue to qualify for the champions league despite losing top players every season. in the big picture, 7 million is chump change.
notice that van persie’s very well thought out comment is directed at the board. he shows respect for arsene wenger, the staff, the players, and the fans. that’s it! the board gets no love. no one ever says anything bad about the fans, the staff, or the manager (except diarra). it’s always directed at the board; manny petit, ashley cole, patrick vieira, thierry henry, cesc fabregas, robin van persie; the list goes on. they all despise that arsenal board.
you may remember i said this on the old site a few years ago, that david dein was the bridge at arsenal. he connected the team to the board and vice versa. i also referred to him as a damper. he prevented a lot of friction that would be passed from the board to players and vice versa. at one point, he was unable to prevent the friction and the board, not knowing how signinicant that damper was, fired david dein and the club have been losing top players ever since. i don’t believe that’s a coincidence, brother. i just wonder if these stubborn old men will ever be able to put 2&2 together.
@joshuad,
At the very list they are going to have to acknowledge this. Unfortunately, the PR advice of ignoring it – will only make it worse. If they address it either via actions (my preferred course) or words (as they always do) then they may get some sway.
Right now Usmanov and R&W hold the upper hand here.
And if Usmanov is as smart as they say he is – the first thing he’ll do as this ‘war’ escalates is to appoint David Dein as his sole representative in all things Arsenal.
while i’m not typically a fan of stewart robson, he took some shots at ivan today claiming that dein used to get the big deals done but since gazidis has been at the helm, it’s been all downhill.
@joshuad,
Actually Robson said this form of Arsenal being a selling club had been in place since 1970.
sorry dag, but van persie gave his all for the club this season. while there is no “one-man team” rvp’s contribution to arsenal this season has been as close to one as i’ve ever seen; certainly in the past 18 years i’ve been an arsenal fan. this season, our mediocre arsenal overachieved with van persie in the team. because of that, as far as i’m concerned, van persie’s earned the right to say what ever the hell he wants.
people have been listening to the lies so long that when players speak their mind, some fans think these players are disrespectful. i’m sick of grown men lying. speak the truth! the truth is sometimes hard to swallow but so was cod liver oil when we were kids and we all lived. arsenal has a problem and the powers that be need to man up and face it head on, like gallas tried to or like robin is now. if not, the problem never gets solved and gets worse.
the only agenda gallas and rvp had in speaking their mind is winning silverware for the club. it’s why they came to arsenal. rvp simply told the fans the truth about why he was leaving. there’s nothing to be upset with the player about and there is nothing disrespectful about what he’s said. what fans and board members alike need to do is accept the truth and leave their feelings out of it.
@joshuad,
I’m sorry one good season out of 8 – 7 spent mostly in the trainers room does not earn him much in my opinion.
You believe RvP is telling you the truth because you believe everything the club hierarchy is doing to be wrong.
And sorry – while I don’t necessarily disagree with the sentiment – he absolutely disrespected a club he claims to love.
@DaAdminGooner, maybe the “club” = board & ownership – do NOT deserve to be “respected”.
What have they done in the recent past that deserves respect?
@joshuad, AMEN!!!
sorry boys, but if you think van persie’s comments are simply sour grapes, you’ve lost the plot. van persie joined the invincibles side thinking he could win trophies with a team he loved since childhood, but doesn’t believe in the club’s current direction. if you can’t see the logic in his explanation without thinking he’s out to hurt the club, then you’re clearly wearing rose-tinted glasses.
i don’t know what wenger and the board are trying to sell but ain’t nobody buying that shit. as a result, the club are losing their best players at an alarming rate. they need to come up with a new pitch or come up with a new product. bottom line, what they’re doing isn’t working and they need to do something different and quickly. arsenal can’t go on this way.
@joshuad,
This smells to sour grapes of the biggest sort. Was told he wasn’t going to be sold and for all his respect he professes for the Wenger, the club and it’s supporters goes out an undermines its position even if they want to sell him.
If it’s not about money for him – turn in a transfer request and forego the loyalty bonus he would get if he’s sold without putting one in. If it’s about a desire to win then he won’t mind giving that up. Cesc used it to pay part of his transfer fee to Barcelona.
@DaAdminGooner, just because cesc did it doesn’t make it a good idea.
Many of the fans have been very quick to jump on RVP and berate him for his decision.
Just as we berate RVP now we may have to berate Wilshere and Walcott in the near future. We have ended up berating Cole, Viera, Henry, Flamini, Fabregas, Clichy, Nasri, Tore, etc but rejoice in the fact that Sol Campbell swapped Tube stations and rejoiced initially when Park was kidnapped at his hotel. When you add others like Petit, Anelka, Adebayor, Overmars, Edu and Gilberto to the mix we have overwhelming signs of poor player management.
At some point we have to reflect on whether this lithany of top class players leaving is due to their inadequacies or could it merely be the only constant factor is Arsene Wenger.
Something to think about lads and said without prejudice.
@Caribkid,
I don’t think supporters are berating RvP for his decision (take that back – some are). I think what they are berating Van Persie for is lack of respect in class in this matter.
For the most part the supporters I’ve chatted with don’t begrudge his departure what they can’t fathom is how he could show so little respect to the club that made him and stood by him.
The lack of respect is what has turned the supporters against not the desire to leave.
@DaAdminGooner, utter tripe.
Wenger and the Board and Ownership lack RESPECT for the supporters.
LOVED the open letter from Usmanov.
Says it all.
[…] via You Are My Arsenal […]
Guys football is a business get that in your heads.
RVP Cesc Nasri Adebayor all didn’t leave because of lack of ambition. The market is inflated because of billionare owners and Arsenal isn’t willing to ruin itself. If you look at Rangers you see how all those Clubs will fare if for some reasom their sugar daddys stop paying the bill.
Van Persi isn’t a hero he is a good player that had 7 injury riddled seasons and now after a great year want’s too cash in as big as possible. Nothing more or less and I dont knock him one bit for doing it.
His statement brings down his fee and makes a transfer easier and his wages probably bigger.
And thats the only reason he did that and I knock him for that because he hurt us with this statement.
If you acused Wenger in past years of lacking ambitions you may could make a case(a weak one but still) BUT WE BOGHT TWO GOOD STRIKERS JUST NOW.
Its a business and if you blindly belive RVPs statement than you are just clueless and if you cant accept the restrictions that a club operating under this annoying commen sense thing has than root for another organization.
@Ty, …more than a business? A business has a singular purpose – profit. Sport has never had a singular objective – and even if it had a dominant objective that has never been profit. Sports has always mixed the need to avoid financial ruin whilst aspiring for glory. So is it a business? For the Stan’s of this world perhaps yes, but for many involved in sport no. To the latter it is more than a business and there has always been that dimension to sport and it will always remain.
Critically, to the ultimate consumers – the fans – sport is not a business. It is a mixture of escape and obsession. It’s not like buying something at the supermarket nor is it like going to the opera. It’s a much deeper form of entertainment.
It’s now well established. Wenger is demonstrably unable to spend the money he needs to spend to give himself and the club a better chance to succeed. It’s trite to the point of simpletonism to point merely to the rich competition. As CK pointed out there are many examples of clubs in leagues beating richer clubs to titles and cups. The problem is much deeper and it reflects Wenger’s inadequacies. Dein’s departure has highlighted the error in giving Wenger such a dominant role at the club. Arsenal are not a poor club and we have the wealth to buy a squad capable to competing and winning things. But we won’t do it if we hobble ourselves with misplaced approaches – which sadly has happened now for a long time.
@Kiwi, well said Kiwi.
you can bad mouth RVP all you wish, but if the club is doing what it believes is “best for the club”, why would people expect the player to what is best for the club, as opposed to what is best for himself.
If Arsenal aren’t interested in winning trophies, then I hope every player that leaves hurts the club on it their way out the door.
Until the owners, and board, and manager can’t deal with it any longer, and leave.
@stag133, Where exacrly did I badmouth RVP??? I just tell it how it is sorry if reality is too harsh for you. I think its adorable how you view the Sports Entertainment Business and I hate to brake it to you but Santa Claue doesnt exist eather.
I mean fire Arsene fire the Board. Thats all you do Stag.
If you wan’t a billionare owner fine go ahead and cheer for Chelsea. Arsenal is a self sustaining Club and thats not changing RVP want’s a bigger check than we can offer ist as simple as that. I don’t have a problem with that.
@Ty, Ty, you flat out said RVP tried to hurt the club with his statements…
that’s NON-SENSE.
I want ownership that is interested in WINNING TROPHIES.
The Board and Ownership are NOT trying to do that.
I’ll cheer for whomever I like…
and I guarantee I’ll be around after this owner, board, and manager will be GONE long before I stop supporting.
@stag133, No I flat out said he did hurt the Club wich HEDID. Waht isnt true about that statement. He could have said to wenger I will not resign and they could look what s out there. Now Arsenal will get a lower fee HE HURT THE CLUB.
@Ty, Ty, you have NO IDEA what was said, or has gone on behind the scenes.
None of us do. There are reports that Arsenal KNEW that he was not going to sign, and asked him to WAIT to announce it until after the Euros… until after the club signed Giroud (a replacement)… so the blow back from the supporters could be lessened.
Oh well, in your mind, he hurt the club… I don’t agree… the club will get a handsome fee for RVP.
What is the difference if we get 20 Million instead of 25?
Do YOU really care?
Are SUPPORTER supposed to care HOW MUCH we get for our Captain, again?
Think about it… the only one’s the lower fee affects, is the BOARD, who have less money to stuff into their pockets.
I hope we can’t get 10 Million for him! Who cares!!!!
Its NOT our money, and the club AREN’T SPENDING the PROFITS they make.
Been having chats with some Journalists and Bloggers who have gotten close to the situation and what looks like has gone down is this:
1. Darren Dein who many believe was behind all this is completely shocked by the nature of RvP’s announcement leading many to believe that this is the making of Kees Vos Robin’s sporting agent. Kees was guest of Man City a while back.
2. Given how the statement was worded it is believed that Arsenal have told Robin they had no intention of selling him and in fact this statement is a way for him to force the team’s hand.
3. The big surprise is that the sentiment echoed here by many readers is NOT the sentiment felt by a majority of the fans as a matter of fact RvP’s attempt to play to the fans looks like it has backfired. Impromptu polls from various people, organizations and blogs all show that fans siding with the club on this.
4. Many around the club believe that Kees Vos is advising Robin rather poorly in this. And anyone who thinks the statement is of Robin’s doing is off the mark.
Still talking to people I trust and will get back to you with what more I can find out.
Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph on the situation – hits on some of the points I made above –
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9376731/Arsenal-striker-Robin-van-Persie-confirms-he-wont-sign-a-new-contract-with-Arsene-Wengers-side.html
@DaAdminGooner, who cares if he goes, right? He’s not bigger than the club, and he’s had 7 injury prone seasons, and one good one… that’s what I am reading from bitter supporters.
So if thats the case… why would they care if he forces the club to sell him?
He’s not all that, he’s not worth the money he’s asking, he’ll get injured again… he’ll never have the same season.
So, SELL HIM to ManCity or ManU… right?
@stag133,
Simply put Stag – supporters expect more from players whom the club stood by while he sat in the training injury while other supporters like you and others called for the club to sell him.
That’s why supporters care
@DaAdminGooner, if he isn’t bigger than the club, and he’s oft injured, WHO CARES if he GOES?
We care, because he’s a massive part of our success.
Just accept it, and say it.
Don’t give me the BS that I’m reading … that he’ll regret leaving, and he’s a villain.
Its rubbish.
People are angry because another Captain…. another best player… is leaving.
Unfortunately, instead of looking at what’s happening, they are again trying to blame the player(s).
Another point to reflect on. Van Persie has spilt the beans, he made it clear to Wenger and his psuedo-CEO that he wasn’t happy, wasn’t signing and wasn’t even talking money in the meeting. So… Podolski and Giroud were signed in the knowledge Van Persie was going. Giroud was a replacement for Van Persie. And the Podolski/Giroud additions were a new strikeforce NOT a sign that Wenger was adding to the arsenal, just the latest effort to repaper the cracks.
@Kiwi, Gee, that’s what I’ve been saying all along!
It’s hard not to be a tad cynical. Why has Van Persie has stayed at Arsenal over recent seasons? Loyalty to the club? A belief in Wenger’s plan and values? No. Mixed in to his decision to stay was a huge swag of pragmatism. Until last season Van Persie was a talent with a horrendous history of injury that blighted every single season at the club – 7 seasons of injury. So, I said during last season, don’t be surprised if after this his FIRST really stella season that he takes the opportunity to leave for greener pastures. And he is.
Lesson 1: Players are resources – full stop.
Wenger’s plan post-Invincibles – the Emirates Plan – is in tatters. Fiscally it is satisfactory, the books are in order and the debt reducing but where it matters to fans it is a mess and total failure. Onfield, aspirationally, in the dressing room, on the roster, in the trophy cabinet – it’s an abject failure. Don’t expect Wenger to admit it, nor the Board. Just as they didn’t admit that Van Persie “didn’t believe and wanted away”. No, they tell fans and the public a bevy of half-truths to cover their lack of burning ambition and their loyalty to the plans of Arsene Wenger who quite frankly is now looking like a prize goose.
How many of the players he so carefully nutures have to leave for trophies/money before he wises up and goes back to an approach that gives Arsenal Football Club a reasonable chance to win? It won’t happen – he’s human – at his age he can’t adapt.
For those who can still be bothered belt in for another repeat of the last 6-7 years of boredom. Champions League qualification is your lot.
@Kiwi,
My sentiments exactly. Wenger out.
In the 8 years of frustration at Arsenal without winning shit we all hear the same refrain, “Who would we hire if we sack Arsene. there is no one else out there who can do the job”.
Does anyone realize that there are top managers and up and coming ones who have won titles (numerous in some cases), and some with much less budgets. There are also managers with very small budgets who have built teams capable of competing at the top and they certainly don’t earn 7M.
The board is rewarding Arsene with 7M without any real achievements and Arsene in turn is rewarding shit players with megabuck salaries.
Right now, I would take Blanc, Martinez, Moyes, Bilic, AVB, Klopp or any host of others who would give us a better chance to be truly competitive.
Shit, I would even take Ole Arry.
Shit, Di Mateo won the CL in 1/3 of a season.
Shit, Klopp won 2 Bundesliga titles with a payroll of 54M Euros.
Right now, I would even settle for Lee Dixon, Adams or Bould.
My new acronym is ABA – Anybody But Arsene.
When we kick his butt back to France we can have Ivan “Self Sustaining Model” Gazidiz accompany him.
@Caribkid, unfortunately, while I agree with you on Wenger… he is overpaid and has achieved NOTHING for 7 years running… if the Board and Owner continue to run the club this way, it doesn’t matter who you have as manager… the Board and Owner HAVE TO GO.
The SUPPORTERS have to FORCE THIS TO HAPPEN…
if they keep showing up, selling out matches, paying massive prices, buying the new kit and merchandise, then the ownership and board will keep PISSING on our heads, telling us its a lovely warm rain… to enjoy it.
@stag133,
It will never happen. Whomever it is the mentioned sports as an obsession and escape for fans was right. They don’t see it as a business and therefore they don’t get the idea of forcing change to a business by not patroning it.
They see the players on the pitch for the team they support and they go. And if they don’t go there is enough of a waiting list of people who want to go to fill their spot.
Unfortunately, supporter power for the most part is dead.
@DaAdminGooner, maybe in the US it is, but English Football is a different kettle of fish… that’s part of why I love it.
Supporters DO have a say.
You can say its “dead”… but the supporters I know are involved in their clubs.
Our supporters are involved but they do not have the ability to force the club to change. Sorry you won’t see Scouser-style protests (ala Hicks and Gilette) here any time soon.
The attempt at the bin-bag protest last season failed miserably.
@DaAdminGooner, so, the supporters should stop trying to protest?
the bin-bag plan didn’t work… OK.
now we’re about to sell RVP… maybe this will be the straw that breaks the camels back?
or
maybe it will be after we sell RVP, then we sell Theo…
who knows.
uprisings happen. people unite. you can create change.
First of all Arsene and the Board knew he was not going to renew his contract and asked him to keep quiet so it would not drive up the price of replacements.
So, shame on anyone is shame on the Board because they lied to us (understandably so.
I have nothing but respect for RVP and the manner in which he handled himself. I also have no doubt that he will give his best if Arsenal decides to keep him for the duration of his contract.
I wish him all the best, but sincerely hope he does not go to another EPL team.
@Caribkid, Carib… he’ll go to the highest bidder.
If he goes to ManU, it will be Rooney and RVP up front! holy Toledo.
and he could easily go to City as well…
I think they’ll both pay the most… Juve made a 10Mill offer… while its laughable, they know the club have no choice but to sell.
Do you think they’d sell to Juventus for 10 Mil or even 15, if we could get 20 from one of the Manchester teams?
HIGHLY unlikely.
There is ZERO chance that the club let his contract run out. It would be an unmitigated disaster. He could simply refuse to play or fake injury. Why would he give effort to the club that won’t match his ambitions and refuses to sell him?
@stag133,
If he is forced to stay, to fake injury or refuse to play hurts him as much as he hurts the club. Remember a year old. If he sat out in the way you suggest there is NO way he gets the pay day he’d be looking for next summer without proving he’s worth it.
No, I suspect if he is forced to stay he plays well.
@DaAdminGooner, why would he risk injury for a club who won’t sell him.
His value will be just fine. Other clubs understand it.
He’s going to risk picking up a career threatening injury with no long term deal?
If he does that, whomever is advising him should be LOCKED UP in an insane asylum.
So he is going to sit for a year, get a year older and get a huge pay day not likely. He’s going to want to show that even at 31 (which he would be next year) he is deserving of a big contract.
@DaAdminGooner, if you think Arsenal will allow his contract to run out, and walk away for free… you haven’t been paying much attention! (and I know you have)
can you imagine RVP sitting out the season, and we start poorly… or have a bad patch…
that would insight the riot and uprising I am hoping for…
I hope they don’t sell him… it will be an absolute disaster!!
Just amazing.
The club basically have said NOTHING will change. We will continue on this path of PROFIT over ambition… and Robin said, NO WAY I’m on board with that.
Good for you Robin.
Let me just say F*CK YOU Arsene, The Board and Owner.
Go F*CK yourselves. I hope NOBODY shows up, and you lose a fortune.
its time the supporters take the club back, because this is embarrassing.
Its a big SLAP in the face of the great fans the club has…
How many times are we going to sell the best players and captains?
I could not care less what we do on the pitch… I hope supporters unite and have massive protests…
I wouldn’t pay to go to a game or buy anything from this club EVER AGAIN… until this non-sense changes… until the club changes hands or course…
It’s quite unbelievable. RvP saved Arsenals season single handedly and the guy gets reviled.
He is not after the cash, he just wants to win things, he should be a hero and be able to leave with thanks and good luck.
I just see bitterness.
@dave,
he said he wanted to win trophies with arsenal and take them back to the glory days, and that he loved arsenal.
@George, yes George, and Arsene and Arsenal said FU Robin, we aren’t going to change … we are going to make huge profits… if you don’t like it, too bad.
What don’t you understand about this?
Why he should scrifice his dream, for the team with no dream at all(ateast for winning something)
You have to admit arsenal are becoming a finishing school(you come here learn develop but deliver elsewhere)
Arsenal has adopted this new business model for self sustaining organization.
they make profit by buying teenagers and cheap players and when their time comes to deliver something , arsenal just sell them.
Good bravo!!!!
@arny,
risk is very low for such model of buisness.you cant win trophy for sure but you can always sell players once you bought them cheap, to big teams with intention of winning something.
@arny, Arsenal are about making profit.
They don’t care about the fans or the players.
I hope Robin goes to a team deserving of his talents.
I don’t care if we only get 1 Million for him. Its 1000% Arsenal’s fault.
The club and management have learned NOTHING from recent years, except that the SUCKERS will still keep showing up and paying the highest ticket prices in Europe, regardless of what is put out onto the field.
The fact that the team captain knows that there is no hope of winning trophies based on Arsenal’s direction say’s it all. I said it three years ago and will say it again, “arsenal will never win another major trophy with Arsene as coach.”
I was lambasted and ridiculed then and the same will probably happen once more but I really don’t give a rats ass. Most people with any common sense could see that his poor player handling, inept tactics, inability to coach defensive strategy and his haphazard player acquisition policy gives us very little chance when teams like Manu, Chelsea, City, Barca, Real Madrid and Bayern are continually improving. Add Anzhi, Dortmund, PSG, and Malaga to the mix and we are screwed from being anything else than a once powerful team which once played attractive football.
I guess everything goes in a cycle and we are currently on the downward slope. He did the same thing at Monaco in his final years there and history is repeating itself.
@Caribkid,
who should we bring in then?
@George, It does not matter who we bring in.
It’s meaningless.
The ownership, board and Wenger MUST GO.
Wenger and the Board OUT NOW.
@Caribkid,
I said it three years ago and will say it again, “arsenal will never win another major trophy with Arsene as coach.”
You, me and (almost) everyone we know.
Gotta laugh at all you sad gooners. You are so blinkered and so intent on going on other clubs websites you can’t see what’s going on under your own noses. Always set to have a go at other clubs but look at your own. Constantly selling your best players with no real re investment in quality players. :-)
@Feenix,
and you support whom…?
@Feenix,
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you wholeheartedly.
that last part of the official arsenal statement was unnecessary and most likely BS. “We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenal’s best interests in mind.”
Sounds right, Because Arsenal’s best interests in mind is benching the best striker instead of spending some money on a quality long-term replacement. The fact is Podolski should be replacing Arshavin as a LW, Giroud should replacing Chamakh as the big #9. Therefore Higuain, Falcao or Pato, or another striker with similar quality should be replacing RVP as the main striker. Add that to the other summer business that MUST be done (YOU HEAR THAT GAZIDIS YOU USELESS MUG, GET BACK FROM ON HOLIDAY NOW AND DO YOUR BLOODY JOB) and the board have got a lot to do to make sure we start next season better than we started the last one (we can dream) – oh well at least we’ve got a long time to do it
@George,
why do you think, arsene would break his own record for buying players like higuin,pato with obiuous price tag of 15 million.
arsene has come a long way and on his last days here he wont spend any money above 15 million.
he says he is looking for quality not quantity.and buys 4-5 players each below 15 million whether they worth or not.and without giving a shit for buying one single world class players for the same total amount.
arsene is rude.he is a frigging heartless economist afterall, not a passionate fan like us.
@jennie,
****correction****
why do you think, arsene would break his own record for buying players like higuin,pato with obiuous price tag greater than 15 million
@jennie,
and i dont blame van persie.
it applies to all of us also.
think like you employed somewhere, where your manager makes you false promises, and pays less.
you remain in the organization for another year works very hard, but after year completes you realize nothing changed despite of the my efforts and promises were fake.
in such situation even you would leave the company
@jennie, pretty much summing it up …
that’s why most “employees” bail from the Arsenal FC office!
Really disappointed with his statement. It is fine you can’t reach an agreement. It is fine you don’t commit to the club. The club will find see and find a proper offer. But now he made such a statement. He is just trying to push the club to accept lower offer in order for his bigger contract.. You can say the club is not ambition enough. but how can you make such a statement to hurt the club which you say you will love forever. Even Nasri has not made such kind of statement last yr. Really shame on you.
@Ron, Shame on you?
WHAT the FECK are you on?
The club once again are refusing to COMPETE.
They REFUSE to adjust their business model to incorporate winning into the scheme.
RVP is a HERO, he saved our season last year …
and he is 100% right to go, and say whatever he wants.
Whatever will force the Board and Wenger OUT… is the right thing. I hope the players ALL
speak up and RIP the club.
and the fans should RISE UP.
As long as they keep showing up, paying the highest prices in Europe, and buying the new kits and merchandise, NOTHING will change at the club.
He can turn down Arsenal’s new contract. He can has bigger
ambition than what Arsenal can offer to him. He has the right to
go. I do respect his choice and the club will see the case and
find the right club and the right bid.
But why did he need to make a statement. Why now but not after
transfer. Does he need to share his sincere feeling with his
fan. The only good thing for him is to be able to force the
club to accept lower offer in order to get a bigger contract
from the new club.
Everyone know Nasri want to leave, but he has not made such
a harmful statement. A statement which give the club has no
room to bargain with other. He just kept it in low profile.
For me, he is hero last season, but he is disgusting now.
Even worse than Nasri and Abe.
@Ron, He has the right to explain to the fans, the media, everyone… why it is that he will not sun a new contract.
Without making such a statement, the media will HOUND him daily, follow him… until he speaks on the subject.
Why should he care about what the club does at this point?
The club have told him… we have no interest in winning trophies immediately… we will not match your ambition.
At that point, its OVER.
What is DISGUSTING, is the Arsenal Football Club… its massive profits, its disdain for the supporters, its high ticket prices, its selling off of its best players every single season.
THAT… is DISGUSTING.
When they come out and say they have no choice, and that they will lower ticket prices, and give special pricing to those longtime season ticket holders that have been with the club for 10, 20 sometimes 30 years… then I’ll say, OK, the club GET IT.
Until then, its taking the suckers (fans) for granted, again… pissing on our heads, and telling us its a lovely refreshing rain shower, enjoy it.
Come on. He is a matured man and he said he love the
club forever. How can he make a damaging statement simply
because he feels uncomfortable with those HOUND. It is only
sometime kid will do…
@Ron,
Ron mate come out of the illusional world of hypocrite arsenals(board and management includes arsene too).
they are making us look like fool and we just keep supporting them like anything.
He who laughs last laughs loudest!
@Andre Tottenham Boas,
i see arry brougt you up to top 5.and you thought you have won PL.
lol always in our shadows….
If Theo kicks up a storm and wants his 100k a week deal, sell him. He’s an inconsistent player and is best used as an impact winger (vs Sweden?) and this season he’s had 3 1/2 good games; Norwich away, Chelsea Away, Newcastle Home and 2nd Half Spurs home. Yes he’s a terrific finisher and when teams come onto us he’s great on the counter but against a team parking ten behind the ball, he’s next to useless.
TBH I’d rather have Gervinho, better dribbling, can beat his man, needs to work on his finishing though but that can be taught, and also can unlock defenses through his width (Can go inside and outside). The fact Theo has made about 100 appearances for arsenal and he’s still inconsistent says it all really, and with Gervinho now with a full season under his belt and better for the experience, could it be time to sell Theo?
@George, yes, we should sell EVERYBODY of value.
Sell Theo, maybe see if Vermaelen wants to go… how about Arteta? after such a good year, we should cash him in while his value is highest…
We are not trying to win, and you are advocating selling our 2nd best offensive player, after the best player and Captain basically said the Club have NO AMBITION, so I’m leaving.
The Club LOVE people like you.