Let's get that straight, before we start calling him Judas. In his statement, he never asked for a move, he did not say I want to leave, rather he didn't extend his contract, with a year left on his current one, two very different things. I think it would have been better if he kept private about the issue, but what's done is done. I think he is playing his cards perfectly from his own personal position, at the end of the day, he wants to sign a contract with peace of mind, knowing this club has big ambition, and is on the way to trophies. And he will know the answer by the end of next season, it's a win win situation for him, if we do manage to show ambition, and finally win a trophy, that is all the proof he needs that we are the real deal now, and can finally sign a new contract. If however, it's the same old story, then he can leave, as it's clear that the club once again is not matching his ambition, and gaining him the silverware he desperately wants at this stage in of his career, at least he will fully know by then. But if he signs a contract now, a 4 year contract, at the age of 28, in his mind that's a risk to take as he has no guarantees much will change with the club, so instead of taking that risk, he openly said he has decided not to take it, but he has NOT said he is leaving, or wants to leave. It's basically a win win situation for him, from his personal view off course, and makes a lot of sense. Having said all that, if we do fall short again next season, then I don't think any Arsenal fan will knock him down for eventually leaving. So now we as fans should not burn bridges with our best player, if you want to be pissed at somebody, be pissed at Wenger and Gazidis who probably fed him a load of bullshit which led him to make that statement.
Hmmm...be pissed at a player who has said he will not sign a new contract - Fact or be pissed at the manager and board because maybe/possibly/perhaps they might have said something. Twisted and illogical. Be pissed at nobody except the haters.
Nasri is vilified for telling the truth, he said, to paraphrase, "I am good enough to earn twice as much, I am good enough to play for the best teams around, and I want join one right now, win trophies and become a â¬Gazzillionaire. My namedms Gough and I'm ****ing right off!" Don't fall for all this "I love Arsenal" bollocks again FFS!
Don't agree. RVP became the player he is today because of AW and Arsenal, he's spent chunks of the last 8 years injured during which Arsenal stood by him and backed him to regain full fitness, his form also struggled to reach the heights it should at times and AW and the club stood by him, he has a breakout year and demands trophies. I now think we should sell to the highest bidder (something we were prevented from doing with Cesc) and use the funds to strengthen further. Arsenal were a top club before RVP came and we will be after he's gone, we're a club who work within a budget and us the fans should be proud that we stand by the model that is sustainable and guarantees our existence forever...
He has absolutely ****ed Arsenal's chances of getting a decent price for him, so yes he has burned some bridges. He will burn even more bridges if he moves to another EPL club.
So if nobody wants him, do we play him, or do we build the team style around our new forwards and bench him?
Of course someone will want him... he has just made sure that we get the bare minimum. No reason for the drama, it's not good for the team morale; so just get rid of him for the best price.
Why would we be stupid enough to sell our best player when we have 2 new untested forwards and get peanuts for him? Play him as usual and let him go on a free. Getting champions league money will recoup his costs going on a free and more. If we do well then he may sign a new contract.
My head say let him play for obvious reasons, My heart says bench him, remove his captaincy and focus on the rest of our players.
If I were his spin doctor I would say that Robin as a club captain is doing everything he can on and off the pitch to help his beloved Arsenal become a more ambitious and successful club.
Like we did this season? I don't think people realise what RVP did for us this season. He has been sensational. Giroud and Pod are no where near his class.
Of course we have to play him, because he is a top player. But we have to bear in mind that he is not a priority any more. We have to reshape the team around the guys who will be our next future - it is Giroud, Podolski and of course Wilshere. No way we should play like we played last season when the whole team worked for RVP. Robin will need to play a supportive, wider role, while Giroud and Podolski should be played where they are best. I am sure Wenger understands that perfectly. So RVP should prepare to play out of his preferred position and role. But this will work only if Giroud and Poldi will perform. Otherwise we will again succumb to the "Find RVP and give him the ball asap" tactics, which would be the worst possible scenario.
We haven't even started pre season yet so there's plenty of time for the new players to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and team mates
Plenty of clubs will become desperate as the window progresses, and don't forget there are a number of clubs who now have super rich owners, someone will bid £20m+ for him. So for me it's thanks for the 8 years, sorry you didn't feel that you ought to repay the loyalty the club showed you through the rough times but that's football these days, no way will you be remembered in the same way as a Vieira, Henry or Bergkamp, in fact you'll probably be forgotten in a couple of years, we'll move on and still be a much admired club long after you retire.....
Let us put it all into perspective and find the bright side. RVP might have continued spending his seasons on a treatment table, playing 3-5 months a year, scoring 7-8 goals, and finally we would have to part with him anyway. We might even get 3 or 4 ml for the crock. But lo and behold GlassPersie stayed fit for a year and a half, had a fantastic season and the timing is perfect. We can offload him now and get 20+ ml - enough to invest in two decent players. We got him for peanuts, used him to save a critical season and will earn a small fortune selling the guy. We should be happy really.
True, but apart from purchasing shares they've spent nothing on the club which makes them entirely different animals from the Russians and Arabs that blight the football scene IMO
