Arsenal legend Martin Keown has echoed what every Gooner around the globe is thinking – the club must do all they can to keep hold of Robin van Persie.
Keown, who won seven major trophies with the Gunners, believes the Arsenal faithful can play a part in persuading the skipper to stay at the club beyond his current deal, which expires next summer.
The former England international was quoted in the Daily Star Sunday saying:
‘Arsenal simply have to keep Van Persie. He is a real figurehead for the team and Arsenal can rely on him to score – he is our Messi. He scores really important goals and it would be a huge backwards step if we were to lose him.
‘It is interesting to see how he has developed. I was at the club when he first came in as a young man and I think certainly the captaincy has given him something extra now.’
Should the Dutchman, who is being targeted by several clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan, decide to quit Arsenal in the summer, or leave the following one, Keown can’t envisage the striker getting the same form of admiration from fans at another club:
‘I can’t imagine he would get the same adulation from fans elsewhere. The supporters love him and the contract situation needs to be addressed early and sorted out. Maybe it is linked to how successful the team is going to be – but he is certainly happy at the moment and he is in great form.’
We all know what needs to be done here. At the end of the season Arsene Wenger needs to sit down with Robin and get him to sign a new deal at Arsenal, no questions asked. Give him what he wants.
However, should he decide to call time on his Arsenal career then I would wish him the best in all his future endeavours.
But something tells me he’ll be in our colours for the foreseeable future.
Here’s Hoping.
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