Arsenal are so desperate to keep Robin Van Persie in the Arsenal football kit this season that even the players are pleading with him to stay.
Is he really that important to them?
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It emerged yesterday that midfielder Aaron Ramsey remains hopeful that the in-demand striker will stay on at the Emirates, even though he only has one year remaining on his current contract and has said he will not be signing another. RVP could go the way of Cesc Fàbregas and Thierry Henry who both left the London club for greener pastures and different Nike tracksuits by joining Barcelona.
Barça have not made a bid for the striker, who is no stranger to the back of the football nets after scoring 37 football goals last season – 30 of which were in the contest for the Premier League. He also won the Players’ Footballer of the Year Award as well as the Football Writers’ Association best player award.
Bids have come in from Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus for a man who failed to perform to his best at the European Championships, all of which have been rejected. International performances aside, in the competition for domestic football trophies Van Persie is arguably invaluable.
Arsene Wenger will be keen to hold on to him after getting off to a disappointing start last season and having to rely on RVP’s ability to dig the club out of a hole. Wenger has set up the club for a good start by signing Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to add further strike force, as well as capturing defender Per Mertesacker late last season – one of the club’s few signings.
Lastly there’s the coming of age of The Ox. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who impressed for England at Euro 2012, may find himself a regular first-team role and if RVP decides to stay then this could herald a return to a golden age for the Gunners.
Update: Spanish winger Santi Cazorla may be leaving Málaga to join Arsenal after reportedly agreeing terms.
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