Wenger was putting his reputation on the line by building a team around arguably the best midfield talent in Europe. His project was dependant entirely on the Spaniard and his departure was probably the biggest setback of Wenger’s career to date. He then lost Nasri a few weeks later which left Wenger admitting that he never foresaw his players leaving just as they were approaching their best years.
It is a similar situation Wenger faces with Van Persie? Yes.
But what makes his situation bigger than ever is, who’s next?
When Henry left, we had Fabregas, and when he left, there was still Van Persie. But if Van Persie leaves, I don’t think we’ve got another talisman to take over the reins in our squad. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Wojciech Szczsney and Thomas Vermaelen are world class players, but can they match the leadership and brilliance of the Dutchman?
That’s why I feel this is a situation of utmost importance that could define Wenger’s future at the club.
Wenger has shown that he’s willing to break his wage policy for deserving players like he did with Fabregas, so he needs to do that for Van Persie. There are also calls from the fans for big-name signings to help Robin sign a new contract. But I for one disagree on that account. If there is one man you can trust in regards to transfers, it’s Wenger. He’s again shown this season that a Gervinho, who signed from Lille this summer for approximately £11 million, is better than a Downing, who signed for Liverpool in a deal worth up to £20 million, or a Nasri, who was sold for £25 million.
Ultimately, the ball is in Robin’s court. He is now carrying the team on his shoulders just like Nasri did at the start of last season. We all know the team is dependent on him and he might feel that he hasn’t got the opportunity to succeed at the Emirates. However, he might also do well to remember all that Arsenal has done for him. Wenger has made him the player he is today and no manager would have had the patience to keep him with all the injuries he suffered. To me, that’s what makes Wenger a great coach.
As long as RVP remains, I’ll still believe loyalty and olden ethical values exists in football. And I for one am proud we are a club engrained with such qualities. Let’s just hope Robin signs a new deal with us in the summer.
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Yep, we have been a selling club for a few years now but no one seems to admit it!
If we lose van persie more will follow … we cannot keep losing our best players because our other good players will start to realise that we are never going to go forward so to win they will move.
In that sense its incredibly important to keep him … but perhaps the damage has already been done with cesc and nasri.
At the moment we’re a selling club, we’ve shown no great desire to hold onto our players, sadly. I don’t mind selling an unhappy player if we actually replace them, something we’ve failed to do of late. If we get the touted figure of £41 million for RVP my only desire will be that we plough it back into new players.
I love RVP and would rather he finished his career with us, but if he decides he want’s to go then we’re selling an aging striker at nearly £40 million proffit – will we do the right thing with that money if we get it? I don’t know but my hopes aren’t high.
Still love Wenger.
For us fans stateside it does not seem worth another trip to London. I hated when Kroenke bought in because his whole history here is mediocrity and cheapness. His MSL team surprised everyone and won the league and have since diminished. His NBA team could not hold it’s biggest star with a brilliant coach, the Rams, are now called the lambs…I know the supportes all wanted to keep the club “English” but we would have been better off with the Russina. I mean is he anymore odious then Kroenke? That said RVP needs a big time salary if the club wants to stay a big time club. Money is the rule not good intenetions. I do not want the board to be City sheiks that is obviously impossible, but the wage structure is to low. Does anyone think the parasites with money will not go after Wilshire, Ramsey or any of their good young players. Arsene develope finished products…that said they should have kept Cesc for two more years the dude had four left on his contract. ???..