ssThe month of July hasn’t started on a good note for Arsenal fans as Robin van Persie dropped that “bombshell” while fellow American Gooners celebrated the 236th birthday of their great nation.
As expected, social networking platforms went haywire while bloggers like me poured out my heart on this blog giving three reasons why we should move on without him.
To add to the sad news, the Gunners have canceled their tour to my homeland, Nigeria. They were scheduled to play a friendly against the Super Chickens…Eagles on the 5th of August in Abuja.
The club said it had taken the decision as a result of “complexities linked to the planned game”. Arsenal’s marketing director, Angus Kinnear, stated that they couldn’t get comfortable on everything needed to satisfy their requirements.
The club intends to reschedule its visit to Nigeria next year instead. Arsenal acknowledged its huge fan base in Africa and apologized for not visiting.
They had signed deals with Airtel and Malta Guinness on long term contracts, unlike some strikers we know that have refused to put pen to paper.
It’s really sad to know that the Gunners aren’t visiting Nigeria but as always, the world as we know it won’t come to an end if they don’t arrive in our shores.
Besides, I was this close to customizing a T-shirt with the inscription, “Forget Batman, we’ve got Robin”.
I guess I’m going to cancel “my tour” to my shirt designer’s office because there’ll be no Arsenal and there’ll certainly be no Robin.
Many journalists, bloggers, columnists, pundits, Arsenal fans and football fans in general have more or less spoken in one unanimous voice regarding the possible outcome on van Persie’s current situation.
Everyone wants the forward to leave the club and shut the door behind him but this has been expressed in many ways.
However, there was an emotional piece written by a close friend of mine that is worth sharing in today’s post.
In the Twitterverse, he’s known as @Gingerstiff but he changed his BlackBerry user name to “Eli Cohn”.
I don’t know what’s more confusing, the name Eli Cohn or the dream I had last night where Marouane Chamakh scored 20 goals in the forthcoming season. :s
Without further ado, here’s @Gingerstiff’s letter to Robin van Persie,
Dear RVP,
First, I would like to congratulate you on your remarkable achievement last season, not only did you finish the campaign unscathed, you carted away numerous individual awards, broke several club and Premier League records; a feat that will go down in Arsenal history books.
You brought harmony, peace and respect to the squad on and off the pitch.
Big man, big responsibility; You handled it very well, even much more than I expected.
As an Arsenal supporter, I have seen many great players and I have to confess, You are a bottomless pit of creativity with “genius” written all over you.
But, on the 4th of July 2012, you dropped the bombshell that turned Arsenal into turmoil, when you released a statement declaring your intention not to put pen to paper on the contract the club has offered you.
Who am I to tell you what to do? But I know one thing for certain, ARSENAL it was, ARSENAL it is and ARSENAL it will be.
Many people have criticized us for lacking ambition, that I might not dispute, but we are still the quickest out of the block this season, with the capture of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
I had believed that it was a step in the right direction, bringing in proven all-round strikers to tow a truck-size goal scoring burden off you.
Despite being one step behind, we still managed to qualify for the Champions League at the expense of free-spending Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea (only qualified as champions).
You have been at the club for eight years, I can only say I have seen you on the pitch for only two seasons. In these two seasons you were absolute class, scoring spectacular goals.
The remaining six years were shrouded with injuries, injuries and more injuries that ultimately earned you the nickname, “The man of Glass”.
During this troubled times, when a section of the fans wanted you out, Guess who was there? ARSENE WENGER! If he had sold your sorry ass, you would have been doing an Alberto Aquilani now
As much as I will love to credit last season to your brilliance, I believe there was a certain word called “TEAMWORK”. It wasn’t just team work, It was Arsenal players playing as a family. The bond and togetherness was so strong, your team mates would have sacrificed (anything) for you.
If you remember the game against Wigan in the DW Stadium where we ran out as 4-0 winners, Theo Walcott had the chance to be on the score sheet, but he chose to delay the ball, before giving you the easiest of assists for a simple tap-in.
Everyone wanted you to be successful.
I look at Wayne Rooney and Luis Nani, I wonder how many times I’ve seen then have a go at each other. That bond between players is what money cannot buy.
They said you made the perfect runs for the likes of Alex Song to pick you out? What happened at the Euros, you needed mobile phones to communicate with Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder?
Now your ambition has grown bigger than that of the club in one brilliant season? Where was the ambition when you were sent packing in Holland, where was it when Arsenal catered for your rehab, where was the ambition when you received cash for years for work undone?
Time to reap the faith Arsenal F.C showed in you, your Ambition suddenly grew wings?
I really don’t blame you, I blame Arsene Wenger.
His undying faith and persistent trust in players (Mathieu Flamini, $amir Na$ri, Gael Clichy et al) that turns around and spits on his face.
Henceforth, any player with two years left on his contract and refuses to sign shall be benched or sold.
Enough of the “fuckery” from ingrates.
Gianfranco Zola was one of the most talented player the Premier League has ever seen. What did he achieve with Chelsea? But his name will forever remain up there as a legend in every sense of the word.
Finally, I will like to thank you for the good times, the amazing goals (I’ve lost count), the get-out-of-jail free cards (I’ve also lost count).
I wish you well in your career, all the best at your next club. Go win trophies mate.
When you eventually leave do me a favour, forget everything Arsenal and please do not talk about us.
Like a friend of mine said,
@DizGabriella_: The small badge in front will always be bigger than the name tag at the back.
Goodbye RVP
Signed,
@Gingerstiff.
There you have it folks
Eli Cohn has moved on, @enigma106 has also moved on. I’m sure you have moved on as well.
Arsenal, it’s high time to prove to us that you’re “all about the profits”.
Sayonara.