http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 headlined football websites and news ever since he released a statement on his official website yesterday where he said that he won’t be extending his contract with Arsenal.
Shocker.
Many probably saw it coming and it was only a matter of time till the Arsenal skipper announced his intentions. Having had the season of his life, scoring 37 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions, the prolific forward looks set to exit the Emirates.
Where does this leave Arsenal? And where will the North London club go from here?
Arsenal suffered heavily when they lost http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 respectively last season. Both players were vital to Arsenal’s playing style and Arsene Wenger’s football philosophy. The team had been shaped around Cesc
Fabregas, who operated as primary attacking midfielder. But Fabregas’s departure had left the team in jeopardy. The club lost their captain and main creative source.
Nasri himself had an amazing season last year, scoring 15 goals in 46 appearances. The loss of both players was indeed seen as a crisis and despite making last minute emergency signings, Arsenal were unable to properly replace both players as they began
the 2011/2012 season with their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Van Persie was named new club captain, and despite their poor start, Arsenal, slowly and gradually, picked themselves up and managed to finish the League at the third spot behind both Manchester clubs - pretty impressive for the ‘crisis’ club that was on
the verge of being relegated in August.
Van Persie looked as if he was resurrected. He had managed a whole season without injury and bagged goals for fun. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 also had amazing seasons. But it was still the Dutch man who shone and lifted the
club, saving them from embarrassment and capturing a Champions League spot along the way.
However, now it looks as if he is set to exit the club he claims to love. Van Persie constantly talked about ambition and trophies, and stressed on the fact that money was never a motivating factor for him. Arsenal did manage to secure two important attacking
signings this summer. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 arrived from German outfit Cologne while the club also captured the signing of Olivier Giroud from French champions Montpellier. But it seems as if this was not ambitious enough for Van Persie.
Arsenal now have two options; either force Van Persie to see out his contract and possibly leave for a free transfer next year, or sell him now while he is still a hot commodity.
The first might seem like a very unreasonable option, but it could prove to be a smart decision. Arsenal need to sign two or three more players to strengthen their midfield and defence.
While Koscielny and Vermaelen are a formidable centre half pairing, Arsenal are prone to fall victim to injuries, and this jeopardizes their season every year. Having quality cover at centre back, and singing a play maker and a more ‘defence oriented’ midfielder
will add depth to the squad and allow Arsenal to contend for titles next season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-Song-c4804 had an impressive season, but he has the tendency to drift forward and neglect his defensive duties. French international Yann M’Vila has been identified as a possible target, but it seems like talks have failed regarding the transfer of the player.
These changes could help http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 put an end to their trophy drought, and hopefully convince Van Persie of the club’s ambition, allowing him to pen down a new deal come next season.
The second option would be to obviously sell Van Persie, spending whatever Arsenal receive to replace him. This won’t be an easy task though. Van Persie is a one of a kind striker, as he showed the world he is capable of scoring every kind of goal this season.
From volleys to headers, from free-kicks to long http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rangers-c40314, you name it, he can do it.
So Arsenal face a tough decision on their skipper. The club issued a statement following Van Persie's announcement which said that they expect him to honour his contract and see it out with the club. Whether the player will stay or not remains to be seen.
With seven weeks to go till the new season starts, be prepared for more drama and speculation.
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