Hero Turned Villian

Top of the morning to y’all

In writing this blog post, I have had to shred two other blog posts, one I have completed and was supposed to post on Wednesday is about how much I thought Robin was going to stay but couldn’t post it because my network just refused to cooperate and the other is about Arsenal’s possible formations based on our new signings and how we can best integrate them into the squad to get the best out of them early. I have had done considerable work on that post but I guess that will never see the light of day. While I was trying to get to post my blog on Wednesday, the bombshell was dropped and it was announced that Robin van Persie will not renew his contract.

It was a rude shock. A terrible earthquake of devastating seismic proportions. After weeks of speculation and patiently waiting for him to return from the Euros, Robin said

"I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions”

After spending 8 years at the club and starting more than half of the matches in just 2 of those 8 season, Robin says

I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.

He has given his all off the pitch all right, he has kept the medical staff thoroughly busy in those 8 years.

For all the years that he was injured and unfit, he plays well for one good season and decides that he wants to leave. For the faith that Arsene Wenger has shown in him, staying loyal to him when he was injured when many saw no reason for him to keep earning salary when he was always on the treatment table. One season, just one good season is what Van Persie is going to repay the manager’s faith and loyalty to him. Whereas loyalty does not seem to be part of his values. The insulting part is that he thinks he knows more than the manager and the way the way the club is being managed.

As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the Boss and Mr. Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy.

Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.

 That he is captain and he scored 37 goals does not make him an authority on the way the club should be run. His job as captain is on the pitch and on the pitch alone and not in the board room. That's not to say that he should not have his thoughts on issues but making it an excuse for him leaving is what irks me.

The club in a swift response said on its website

We have to respect Robin's decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the Club.

That's exactly what I think he should be made to do. If he doesn't want to sign a new contract, he should be made to see it out. He should report for pre-season like everyone else and play. It has become an occurrence one too many where players would hold the club to ransom and in the end sell him to the highest bidder – which I think would be the case again here- and if he doesn't play well, then he should be benched.

On the other hand, if the club insist on selling him, he should be sold to anyone but Man City. We just can’t continue to sell our best players to our direct rivals. Strengthening our rivals and weakening our own team. He can be sold to Juventus or maybe Anzhi I don’t care. I just don’t want him to be sold to city. It would be a triumph of evil over good if that happens.

Robin has chosen to be the villain rather than a hero. He should have been the one to lead our push for silverware which in truth we really can challenge for but he has chosen to jump ship while ignoring the thoughts and feelings of the fans in the process. He has become insensitive to the club, the manager, the fans but chose to satisfy his own whims. He has forgotten history and now wants to become the proverbial river that has forgotten its source and hell yeah that river is on its way to being dried up. I wonder if he would behave in this manner if he had had another injury hit season last year like other seasons past. I guess we will never know.

I will leave it all to rest at this stage here for now but another issue that has been stirring the Arsenal ship over the past two days is the Alisher Usmanov open letter to the board. For my thoughts on that, watch out for my Monday post.

God Bless The Arsenal. Iree O