So I was thinking today of the various scenarios where RVP's exit would be disrespectful to the club. I've narrowed it down to this: 1. He leaves us to sign for Man City. 2. He leaves us to sign for any other EPL club. (Obviously Spurs would be worse than City, but that isn't happening ) I'm fine with him leaving to Spain or Italy, even if we offer to substantially increase his wage or promise more signings. But no matter how good he's been this season, I can't see any way for him to walk in to a rival EPL club while keeping his reputation in tact. We stuck with him for quite a few average seasons, and he leaves for a rival after his first top-class season for us!? That would be low.
I'm not fine with him leaving at all. I'm soo sick of our club cashing in on our best players. It's passed time to show some ambition again. Personally I think its not soo much a money issue more of an issue with a perceived lack of ambition. I think his stay depends on Wengers transfer plans this Summer.
RVP has a year left on his contract, AW has said that he'll be an Arsenal player next year regardless of how talks go tomorrow. Are Arsenal desperate for the £30m ? probably not, are Arsenal desperate for a top class centre forward ? Definitely. Making him stay even if he refuses to sign a new contract is an option, though personally I'm still confident he loves the club and will commit long term
I said I'm *fine* with it in the sense that if Arsenal can't match his ambition, good luck to him in another league. Obviously I'd want him to willingly stay. Keeping him for another season if he's clearly shown he wants to go would be bad IMO. That kind of thing affects performances, and the sooner we know that he has to be replaced the better.
What he might do is sign a one year extension with a deserved wage increase. This will put an end to speculation about his future during next season, but it will show AW that investment and performances during next season are crucial to whether he commits his future to the club.
Hadn't thought of that, it could be a good middle ground. Personally, I think RVP wants to stay at Arsenal, but I think fans also share his concerns about investment and ambition. Let's hope we see some this summer. I know Wenger has said the window will be quite, but I think that's just another one of his distractions to play down the hype. I still expect Wenger to make additions to the squad.
I think it will be a quiet window and doesn't need to be otherwise, after all we brought in what 9, 10 players last Summer ? There's likely to be more players shown the door than players coming in. With Joel Campbell and Podolski coming in and Jack back I'm encouraged and excited for next season - of course another panic spending spree by Chelsea or Utd to try picking up M City won't help but I can honestly see 12/13 being our most productive season in a few years. Assuming we retain RVPs services of course....
Sorry Grizzly couldn't disagree more. I'm sure RVP will go to Juventus, despite his protestations about loving the club. If he goes for 25mil Podolski will be his replacement at 10mil. Kroenke will say thanks very much thats my profit for the year, and we will be back at square 1. We have so many players that need to be replaced, Gervinho, Ramsey, Rosicky, Benayoun (who is on loan) and thats just the staring 11. Our bench has got to be the weakest in the Prem and a couple of injuries will see us in dire trouble. Diaby is always injured Oxo is still learning the game and no-one knows the extent of Jacks increasingly mysterious injury. Don't forget that for the last 6 years we have been averaging 3 mill CREDIT on the transfer market per year. Miyachi and Campbell are an unknown quantity Chamakh and Park (what was that all about) have to go along with Bentdner etc. Time to get really serious with the transfer dealings, god how I wish we had Dein back.
But he never says he's going to sign players, and never does! At least not in the calibre or quantity that we need. In that regard he's Chief honest Joe of honest town, holding the world record for honestness that shall never be bettered! I think we'll be lucky to see one extra player on top of Podolski coming. Should that be the case I will only be placated if we manage to renew the contracts of Theo and RVP.
Couldn't agree more...we have so much dross on our books, inflating our wage bill and taking up valuable spaces in the squad. The last minute panic buy last season proves that things need to done properly this year. I think removing the likes of Chamakh, Bendtner et al is equally as important as getting new guys in. Hope Wenger and Gazidis take very short holidays and start hitting the phones straight away. Agree about Dein aswell...his departure is the main reason why we've suffered recently.
I think you should prepare to be disappointed Balham. Our squad is too big and needs trimming, AW is not about to ditch the players he's had for less than 12 months so the likes of Park will be given more time, I can see Arshavin, Chamakh, Denilson and Bendtner all going though. Not everyone will agree of course but I'm excited for next year...
I am not sure i will ever have any faith in football again if he goes to City. Would be the nail in the coffin of football.
Oh come on, if you were offered 250k a week, would you say no? I'd love to get paid that much, i'd love to earn 12 million a year.
My point is the breakdown of loyalty to a club - completely - if RVP leaves for City. Arsenal are reportedly offering him £26m over 3 years. He's supposed to be one of the good guys - and Arsenal have looked after him through season after season of injury. For him to leave for £36m instead of £26m and go to a club that has been taking our players, openly tapping them up, and one which our ex players have mouthed off from creating bad blood, then coming to play against us twice next year - well that is about much more than money. If you cant see that you have lost perspective on what football is all about, and if RVP does go to City then I fear the football world pretty much has too.
