Sadly I think you're right, which completely sucks as they are in a completely new league and are simply not as good as RVP. This news is gutting as it shows that all our hype of being early in the transfer market was merely because we were trying to find replacements for RVP (who aren't anywhere near as good). Poor stuff. I agree with you too Ammaar in that I place a lot of the blame on the "strategy" that Gazidis and AW have shown to RVP. In a way, he was looking out for his best interests (in winning a trophy) and the interests of the club and its fans who have been waiting for years for a trophy and some success again- so in that respect, I can't really blame him for choosing to leave. You can argue that we should feel aggrieved as he has only really had a year and a half of quality before leaving but I feel that he has a point in that, with the current state of things, in order to win trophies he must go. And this means I'll probably need to change my username .
Really hoping that Arsene can pull something out of the bag... if not... there will be a lot of angry people.
Like Schofield already alluded to, We have already spent the money to be to be realised from RVP on Podolski and Giroud. My contention is at the last meeting, it would have been obvious to all present that RVP was not going to sign a new contract in month of Sundays! All this posturing about he is going no where is just that posturing, they knew all along he was NEVER going to sign. This was apparent from a long while ago. To compare him to Nasri is an insult to RVP. I feel RVP has paid his dues, he would have been disappointed for Holland not have been in contention in the Euros, and more importantly entering the twilight of his career, he would want to win something, unless you are a rose-tinted gooner, we have zilch chance of winning anything again this season (with or without RVP)! I voted to sell him now, cash in (as if money grabbing board need any advice from me!). The bidding war will hopefully now commence, and really don't care who we sell him to, as long it is for a tidy sum. Mancity, will be strong with or without RVP, he will marginally improve their squad.....It just shows with those clowns at the helm, we will continue to lose key players season in season out! Knew it was too good to be true, the way we seemed to be conducting our transfer early......
His statement shows that the only thing wrong with the club is the board. All of them are ****s. Either sell RVP for £30M minimum or let him rot in the reserves (not playing) for a year and go for a free. Let's see how much he earns then. No loyalty left in football. 1 good season preceded by 7 years of injuries and occasional form and this is all the thanks he gives us.
i wouldnt take everything RVP says as gospel in shooting down your board..at the end of the day his answer was the only answer he could have given to get the fans sympathy...and do what he has always intended to do..which has been obvious from his initial stalling on contract talks...as if it was not in the boards prioroties to sort this out with him many a moon ago..but something has only happened now because RVP wanted it to be timed for now. i can laugh my bollocks off and all that but at the end of the day i support a team aswell and im sick of players trying to hold clubs to ransom....is he really expecting Arsenal to make City standard signings?
Actually, I take my comment that he has paid his dues back. On reflection, in his time with us he has more injuries than Lazarus. He has a complete season without injuries, suddenly feels he is better than us! Even though I expected it, it is still a kick in the nuts!
Not sure we want RVP dictating how the club is run, even if you don't like what the board are doing. Personally, I think he is taking a big risk. I am not that bothered about losing him. Fabregas I hated losing, because he was a player that could fit into the team in almost any system we wanted to play. RVP limits Arsenal to a very particular system and the whole attack really has to be focused on him. That is fine when he is banging in goals, but if he doesn't the whole team stutters. As we saw with Holland. I wouldn't be too sure what RVP's irreconcilable differences are, if I were you. He may have been pissed just because Arsenal signed two potential replacements, or was demanding that we get rid of Gervinho and Walcott, and sign Robben and Ribery. As we have seen too many times, this ambition and trophy thing is really used by players to justify their move for more money after they have decided to move, rather than it being the real reason. Adebayor left for trophies, but didn't seem that upset to be loaned to Spurs, and missing out on the PL trophy.
I don't see that he is dictating how the club is run at all. But the way the club has been run has clearly shown that the management have no sporting ambitions. Our CEO's sustainable model builds up coffers for our majority shareholder whose own American-based teams do not excel in their own sporting arena. Lest we forget, our trophy cabinet has been left untouched for 7 years so I'm not surprised that any player looking to ink what is his final major contract will want to be assured that there is at least an opportunity to win something before the sun sets on his own career. I do not blame RvP for wishing to pursue what all great sportsmen do, trophies. The saga may not be at it's end so we'll have to see how it all plays out but it wouldn't surprise me at all if the management of our club do not buy any more players because Arsene would very well say, we have Jack Wilshire returning so it will be like a new signing. Then to me, RvP's decision would be completely justifiable.
There is no way that I want any player dictating how the club is run, however he obviously has more knowledge than us on the direction that the club is going. If he as our captain isn't happy then that gives me cause for concern. Especially when we have pretty much paid off the debt and are one of the richest clubs in the world. I am also not that bothered about losing a player who has been good for just 1 whole season. I just think that he owes the club and it's fans a bit more for all our support during his numerous injuries. He's 29 and only has 3 years max left at the top. I am just disgusted that after all that we have given us, 1 great season and it's '**** you'. Also, I give respect to spurlock on his post.
How can you reinvest with the limited money you will get from him? Obviously you need to flog him now before he goes on a free. This whole thing has been very poorly managed by Wenger, very similar to us and Owen a few years back.
The usual nonsense being spouted by the usual people I see. We have made to very good signings, very early in the window. Does that not show ambition? I'll save you a brain ache and answer for you - YES IT DOES!
Limited? We got £20 Mil plus for Nasri, a player who was also on the last year of his contract. Van Persie is the best player in the league and I have no doubts that club will hold on for more than £20 Mil plus again. Selling for under that is pointless in a way.
The thing is even Nasri didn't release such a definitive statement before everything was agreed upon. RVP has really hurt Arsenal's bargaining power, so it is likely that he may go for less than 20 mil.
