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Home›General›Robin Van Priceless

Robin Van Priceless

By Michael Price
March 19, 2012
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It has become a rite of spring (and summer) for Arsenal supporters – the endless speculation and innuendo that surrounds the possible transfer of one its prize stars. This time however it isn’t a young Catalan yearning for home, or a money-mongering Frenchman. No, this time it is the true heartbeat of the club, Robin Van Persie.

I don’t need to regale you with the exploits of said Dutchman. They are all known. But to sit here and try and explain his value, well it’s a monumental task.  His value is on all levels, financial, statistical, skillful, personal and more, incomprehensible.

More than any other player since the departure of Thierry Henry,  has there been an Arsenal player as keenly important to the club as our current Captain. That’s a pretty bold statement considering how important Cesc Fabregas was. But as we’ve seen we haven’t been completely lacking since Fabregas left. Right now, this moment if Robin Van Persie were not in this squad, I shudder to think where we’d be.

Sure it is likely someone else may have had an opportunity to step up. But the thing is, since we deal in a lot of intangibles in football it’s very hard to know if someone would have. Based on the available resources, it may be a fair assessment to think – no.

I don’t intend to get into a debate of whether or not Van Persie will sign a new deal this summer. I have my own personal opinion and I will save that till later. But right now I am going to look at what van Persie means to this club both from a statistical and intangible perspective. And with those two views derive some sort of value for the player.

Statistically Speaking

When you look at Robin Van Persie compared to the other strikers in the EPL that have made recent blockbuster moves into the league. Van Persie clearly stands out from the crowd. With the exception of crossing accuracy, Van Persie either leads or is equal to this peer set.

From a scoring perspective he has no peer in the league and with regard to chances created – showing his assist value as well, he is unmatched. He is showing a level of consistency in terms of games played, having played started in 27 of 28 EPL matches (and the 28th as a sub).  He is scoring a goal every 94 minutes and taking a shot every 24.

To put it into perspective Arsenal have scored 57 league goals this season. 26 of them have been scored by the Captain. When they say he scores when he wants to, he almost always does. In terms of his ability and form, at this moment in time in the league he has no equal and is only being bettered in Europe by those two lads in Spain, you know them as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

(the following stats are courtesy of EPL Index – visit their site or follow them on twitter @eplindex)

The Intangibles.

Where Robin’s value exponentially increases is not based on his goals or assists but what he brings to the club in terms of his leadership and stature within the club. It’s only a few months into his tenure as Captain and the parallels to the last great club Captain, Patrick Vieira are being mentioned.

Robin is setting the tone for the club both on and off the pitch. You need only look at how he approached the Milan game in the run up and on the pitch to understand what I mean. When interviewed about the match he let it be known that Arsenal weren’t going to fold under the task. That it was mountain they built for themselves and they were ready to climb (yes, I am paraphrasing here). And then echoing the adidas mantra (he is an adidas man after all) – Impossible Is Nothing.

And while Arsenal fell short of a historic and epic comeback against Milan, from the first kick the lads were out to achieve the impossible and nearly did.

We previously discussed on YAMA how this team regardless of the stumbles and tumbles it has had this season, seems more like a team than any other since the Invincibles. There is reason to believe that this all down to Robin too.

Robin is promoting the team being together and has orchestrated nights out for members. By all indications he is easy to approach and it is obvious that he is well respected by all the current members.

Finally, there is his combative nature. Personally, I love it. It can get dicey and I was worried that it would cause him to get a red card against Newcastle but we have not had that in the club in very long while. And I think it is part of the reason why we got the label of a ‘soft club.’ Well, we are not a soft club anymore and no one save maybe our vice captain, exudes the strength and fire we’ve been lacking than Robin Van Persie.

Can one man do all this? Maybe. True, we do have some more able bodied veterans in the squad ready to challenge the younger players when they falter. But the tone in the dressing room it all comes down to the Dutchman.

The Future.

We are going to have to endure an endless round of speculation about Robin van Persie this whole run in and during the summer. We are already hearing of a potential deal being signed by representatives for Van Persie with Man City. There is also speculation that he is willing to hear offers from Milan.

I would implore my readers to not get caught up in the rumour mongering. Van Persie has always struck me as a man of his word. When speculation started to circulate, Van Persie came out immediately and stated he had no intention of talking about his situation until the summer, that right now his focus was football and Arsenal FC. Unlike a certain Spaniard, RvP did not let the speculation dangle out there like a foul mist. He nicked it in the bud early.

Still, there are those who have newspapers to sell and well, it wouldn’t be far from the realm that a person claiming to be a representative for Van Persie may have said something that wasn’t factual. (To understand what I am talking about read this great piece on agents from the Guardian. ) The real point is, until the man himself says something it is pointless listening to the press right now.

The club for their part look set to make statements of intent for the improvement Van Persie wants to see from the club. The deal for Podolski is the first salvo which looks to set off an early flurry of transfer activity for Arsenal. Bild yesterday was carrying a story that Arsenal and Manchester United had tabled offers for Dortmund’s Seji Kagawa. And there are persistent rumours around Mario Gotze, Oliver Giroud, Lewis Holtby, Mathias Suarez and Jan Vertonghen.

All of this is surely intended to show Van Persie the club are serious. Serious about competing and serious about keeping him. The transfer movement and a restructuring of his deal and the entire Arsenal wage system are all good signs.

Robin Van Persie is a special player. In my opinion the most special player we’ve had at the club since Thierry Henry. Moreso than Cesc Fabregas, Robin is integral to this club. His form and the intangibles like leadership and spirit make his value more than any other player we’ve had in such a long time. There isn’t a price in the world you can place on that.

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11 comments

  1. HighburyTerraceSteve 20 March, 2012 at 18:14 Log in to Reply

    Good article, DAG, and the stats above are interesting. For me, while being an Arsenal supporter is sometimes rough, watching RVP emerging from his injuries and showing his skills, leadership, etc., is pretty (freaking) awesome. The deal isn’t done, but if he can keep it up and lead us to a finish as top team in London, given all we’ve been through, I’d be pretty chuffed.

    But that’s just me, and I know that the haters will hate. Also, like I say, the deal is far from done, though the schedule SHOULD favor us. (The Muamba collapse is royally roiling the FA cup schedule….latest news is better; it appears that our former trainee is improving….) These next couple of matches will be interesting: Will Everton (facing an FA cup replay at Sunderland) rotate and/or lay down for us at Goodison in a nice Mikel Arteta parade/salute? And then Aston Villa at home, but they will be well rested given that their match with Bolton (which would have been today) has been rescheduled…. Each one will be a test. Recent, eked-out, come-from-behind results notwithstanding, our squad is far from convincing. A couple of emphatic, settled-by-half-time wins would do everybody (except the haters, of course….) a world of good.

    Speaking of Arteta, it appears as if we’re getting a decent return on that signing, along with the other larger ones this past summer (Gervinho, OxCham). The haters will go on about our failed youth policy and Wenger’s stubbornness, (not to mention that we NEVER sign ANYBODY….) but, by all accounts, we gave Arteta a long term contract (4 years? and we’re extending Rosicky’s too….) so maybe there’s a new twist in the manager’s continuing (contrarian?) economic strategy. All told, it bodes well for doing likewise with RVP this summer, though every man (our billionaire owner, or owners, the manager and the player himself) has his price….

    But like DAG says, that’s one for the future…. He also implores people to avoid the rumor mongers. Good luck with that. Haters love rumors (rumours?) almost as much as they love absolutes. We ALWAYS sell our best players, It’s ALL about profits, we have NO ambition, etc, etc, on and on….. More recently, RVP to City was a done deal (while Poldoski to us will never occur, because Arshavin is coming back, we never sign anybody, or something). At least this time, our RH (resident hater….) is hedging is bets (albeit with absolute certainty): “Either he signs, or he’s sold. It’s actually really simple” It must be nice to always see the black and the white but never the shades of gray (grey?)…..

    For the more subtle observer things maybe aren’t so absolute. For example, if City fail to win the league (or any other trophies) are they still the best team in England? (They must be, at least for next year….they’ve spent the most/have the highest payroll….) If Liverpool win the Carling Cup and win or get close in the FA cup, will they be the best team in England (even if they finish 6th)? I would guess so….they’ve spent a lot too…. (On a larger scale, Is Portsmouth a better club than Arsenal? Even if they’re a league down and on the brink of dissolution, they’ve won a trophy more recently…..) And what of Spurs? Obviously, for the most passionate Arsenal haters, Spurs are ALWAYS better, no matter how long it’s been. (And, if you’re actually a Spurs fan, I salute you in that belief….)

    I don’t know, it’s weird….Trophies? The table? Money spent? Memorable games/moments? Promise for the future? How do we judge what’s what? Maybe it’s all in the eye of the beholder (or the supporter/hater)…..or something…..

    • stag133 20 March, 2012 at 19:02 Log in to Reply

      @HighburyTerraceSteve, that’s good stuff HTS.
      where do you do stand-up?
      I know its a terrible thing to win trophies, when 4th place is the most valuable of all…
      and its GREAT that you are pleased with the club, and how well we’ve done recently. Yes, quite an amazing run… a cabinet full of NOTHING.

      I do know. It is weird. NO TROPHIES. MONEY FROM SALES. MEMORABLE COLLAPSES in the Spring. I think most teams that are allegedly big, judge by medals draped around players necks and shiny baubles lifted about their heads in victory…

      The Arsenal Football Club PLC, LLC, Inc…. SALUTES you, and supporters like you… that eat it up no matter what… buy the lines they are given, hook, line and sinker… and accept that 3rd of 4th place is the best this little club can do… I mean, what do we supporters expect for the massive prices we pay for tickets, schwag, and time spent following our beloved club?

      Please do tell me, if we Robin Van Persie does not sign a new contract… do you believe we’ll just wait until it runs out… and hope the club can convince him of our noble efforts… and how wonderful it is to be at Arsenal?

      or something…

      • HighburyTerraceSteve 20 March, 2012 at 19:49 Log in to Reply

        @stag133, Man, rough stuff….
        Too many consecutive wins, or something…. Does somebody
        need a hug? Soon enough we (or should I say “they”) will
        lose one and the world will be right again….

        Also, Sorry, of course, that “your” teams: City, QPR, Spurs
        (am I missing anybody?) are having such rough spells. The
        money WILL come good and they’ll all get where they’re headed,
        sooner or later, maybe, sorta like “your” governor Romney will wrap
        up that nomination sooner or later…..

        The idea that it’s management/club vs supporters IS a correct
        view….If an Oligarch or a Sheik wants good PR they buy
        trophies and supporters (and noobs….) are in hog heaven
        and, likewise, if Kroenke (and/or Usmanov) loosen the purse
        strings, we should sing their praises. But I’m sure you
        understand all this and are a staunch supporter of consumer
        rights, labor unions and the like…. At the very least, I
        appreciate your repeated “Buyer Beware” statements….
        (Sometimes, however, it reads a bit like “hate”….)

        But now I’m morphing away from comedy and into politics,
        and that can’t be good for anyone….

        So what can I wish for you? Losses, managerial change,
        the complete collapse of the club? You’ve said (over and
        over and over….) that you’ve given up on Arsenal, but (alas)
        you’re still here (and reasonably fun to have a go at). If
        we were proximal I’d offer a hug. As it is I’ll have to go
        with…..

        +++++Vibes++++

        (Stay Strong my Brother….Go Toffees?….)

        • HighburyTerraceSteve 20 March, 2012 at 19:58

          @HighburyTerraceSteve, Oh, by
          the way, if anybody (else) is interested, I am curious
          about people’s thoughts about how you judge a season (from
          my original post)….Obviously, the table doesn’t lie and
          (silverware never tarnishes), or does it?…..

          Cheers….

        • stag133 21 March, 2012 at 01:57

          @HighburyTerraceSteve, I know how we used to judge a season…
          and I know how we used to judge success… but the goal posts have shifted, and we’ve been sold a bunch of non-sense, that unfortunately the Wenger- Rump Swabs embrace… 4th place is like a trophy, and 3rd is like 2 trophies.
          That’s success at Arsenal… and why all the best players leave.

        • jroybower 21 March, 2012 at 14:12

          @stag133, i’ll go out on a limb and say i’d much rather support a consistent team that is there or there abouts, than go through long droughts of mediocrity where mid-table (or worse) is the best one can hope for…

          analogy1: as a long suffering jayhawk fan this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. well, i’m pretty sure we won’t win the national championship (aka a trophy) but if by rebuilding you mean that we are “only” a top 25 team. yeah, that’s not so bad…

          analogy2: the chiefs fired marty (can’t win the big one) schottenheimer even though we had montana and thomas and co. would you rather watch a team that makes the playoffs has a winning season every year, or one that wins the super bowl and spends the next decade without a winning season?

          bottom line, supporting a consistenly losing team sucks. supporting a good, but underperforming team is an excercise in frustration which makes winning all the better…

        • DaAdminGooner 21 March, 2012 at 17:51

          @stag133,
          In fairness Stag – it’s not just Wenger making 4th a -trophy its the whole league. Its UEFA that made CL qualification available to these top ‘4’ teams. If the financial rewards and the promise of CL football weren’t there for the top 4 and only the league winners then I think the team focus would be entirely different.

        • stag133 21 March, 2012 at 01:53

          @HighburyTerraceSteve, that’s all you have?
          rhetoric… taking solace yet again in such an amazing job by Wenger & the Board to get this tiny club that’s short on cash … into a possible CL position?
          It is wonderful.
          I think we should have a parade if they make it into the CL…
          The players and manager and board should be properly saluted by the masses.

  2. stag133 19 March, 2012 at 17:36 Log in to Reply

    I am sure Wenger and the board see him in the same light they saw Patrick Vieira, and Thierry Henry. He hasn’t acheived what those 2 did… but he’s approaching it in terms of skill, and what he meant to the team.
    But, I am under no illusion that Arsenal would even hesitate to sell him to the highest bidder, if he doesn’t sign a new contract.

    Either he signs, or he’s sold.
    It’s actually really simple.

    • Ty 20 March, 2012 at 07:08 Log in to Reply

      @stag133,
      If he wants to leave Wenger and the board have no choice but to sell him.
      And it would be the right thing to do and I will fully back the move.
      But he better gets paid a kings ransom at the new club and I mean Eto-like money.

      • stag133 20 March, 2012 at 12:58 Log in to Reply

        @Ty, If he is making more money than we offer him, and the club is actually interested in WINNING TROPHIES… then there is really no decision to be made for RVP.
        Why would he play for less money, for a team showing no ambition…?

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