In recent times, the sound of Robin van Persie’s name sends chills down the spines of defenders because of his exploits on the pitch. 2011 was certainly a year to remember for the Dutch forward as he smashed many records to bits and created others on the go.
In 2011, Robin van Persie’s amazing goal scoring form in the Premier League started with a deflected free kick in St. Andrews when Arsenal thrashed Birmingham City in their own turf.
A brace followed against West Ham before a headed goal from a Nicklas Bendtner cross when Arsenal defeated Leeds United in a FA Cup replay. His first hattrick in Arsenal colors against Wigan was followed up a brace in that 4-4 epic outing at St. James Park…or Sports Direct Arena as it has been recently called.
Wolves were on the end of another brace before Arsenal’s goal of 2011 was scored when Barcelona visited the Emirates. He scored Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final and the goals dried up a bit before his scrappy finish in a game that was marred by Manuel Almunia’s stupidity (West Brom).
In April, he smashed one past Blackpool before scoring a penalty in the 97th minute against Liverpool. He saved one for the North London derby before ending the month with a well executed finish against Bolton following a neat one-two with Cesc Fabregas.
After netting three more times in May against Stoke, Aston Villa and Fulham, van Persie has picked up where he left off this season with 17 more goals to name to end the year with 35 League goals; One goal above Thierry Henry (34) and a goal behind Alan Shearer (36).
In the wake of Arsenal’s disastrous showing in the Premier League, The Week reports that van Persie wants to join Cesc Fabregas in Barcelona. The facts that he’ll have a year left in his deal and Arsenal being a “selling” club will bolster his chances of seeking green pastures elsewhere.
Should Robin van Persie decide to leave Arsenal for FC Barcelona, the Gunners shouldn’t begrudge him. Here are five reasons why:
Arsenal’s Lack of Transfer Activity in General
Arsenal is managed by one of the most shrewdest and money-conscious managers in world football and this has been reflected in the club’s lack of transfer activity. Despite the fact that the club is certainly lacking in quality and numbers in some areas of pitch, the manager folded his arms and watched the month of January pass by.
The fans craved for quality signings this winter transfer window. Wenger signed an old legend on loan and bought a 19-year old midfielder on deadline day.
Typical.
Like every Arsenal fan and player alike, Van Persie hoped to see quality signings but he had to make do with what his manager had to offer.
No disrespect to King Thierry Henry, but it wasn’t enough.
Failure to Replace Key Members of the Squad
When van Persie joined Arsenal in 2005, he had the likes of Thierry Henry leading the line while there were so many other great players in every section of the pitch. The generation of the “Invincibles” were sold out to other teams or let go thereby causing the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin and Theo Walcott to become the key figureheads of the club.
Wenger sold Arsenal’s creative juggernauts in the form of Fabregas and Nasri and replaced them with lightweight Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun. Arteta urged the fans not to compare him with the departed Fabregas and he has stamped his authority on the pitch flourishing in the box to box role.
This left the burden of creativity on the shoulders of Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun and they haven’t been up to the challenge this season.
Present Deadwood Playing for the Club
In May 2008, Zenit St. Petersburg played Glasgow Rangers in the final of the UEFA Cup. Rangers run to the final saw them record many goalless draws that were settled with penalties but a little Russian delivered two through passes that cut their defense open like hot knife through butter.
Move a bit forward to the European Championships that took place in Switzerland and Austria in the summer of 2008.
The little Russian was suspended from some matches in the group stage but singlehandedly destroyed tournament favorites Holland in the quarter finals before losing to the eventual winners Spain in the semis.
Finally, move forward to February 2nd, 2009.
After a very long transfer saga that was almost thwarted with issues concerning money, this little Russian inherited the jersey left by Sol Campbell to wow the Arsenal faithful with breathtaking performances with the pick of the bunch being his amazing four-goal haul when Arsenal visited Anfield.
Return back to reality and see the same Andrey Arshavin that was regarded well above Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri as one of Arsenal’s world class players after Cesc Fabregas.
He has become a very peripheral figure in matches and he can be a pain to watch at times and this was epitomized in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United where the Russian was booed for coming in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
There are still other deadwood like Sebastien Squillaci, Manuel Almunia as well as loanees such as Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela and Denilson.
Heavy Burden of Goal Scoring
In all my years as an Arsenal fan, I’ve never seen the club so dependent on a player to come up with all the goods week-in week-out. In the days of the Invincibles, Thierry Henry was the main man but Arsenal could still rely on Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira amongst other to deliver.
Van Persie is closing in on 30 goals and his closest rival for the Arsenal Golden Boot is Theo Walcott with a six goals. The fact that Wenger shows lack of faith in Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-Young only means that van Persie must play provided he’s fit.
Which is detrimental to his health in the long run.
A Player of his Talent Deserves Better
If you take a good and honest look at Arsenal Football Club, you can count a handful of players that can challenge for a first team place in the biggest teams in world football. Robin van Persie is undoubtedly one of the best forwards in world football so he deserves to play for a club where he’s be scoring goals and enjoying his football.
In Arsenal, he’s scoring a boatload of goals but is he enjoying life at the club?
What else would make him stall imminent contract talks with the club.
With the way Arsenal is performing, it would take some convincing to keep Robin van Persie.
Should he decide to leave for Barcelona, I won’t begrudge him.
I hope you won’t.
Sayonara.
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