Former Arsenal captain, Robin Van Persie, will head to his former ground on Sunday, hoping for a good reception.
A brilliant goal in the FA Cup against Blackburn Rovers for Arsenal set him up for a brilliant career with the Gunners. Unfortunately, his eight year career was marred by injuries and lack of trophies. Arsenal fans and management could not let go of him easily. He was after all, their talisman, their rescuer, their hero.
Van Persie wrote an open letter before heading to Manchester United. The words of the letter expressed thinly veiled insults at Arsenal; Arsenal was just not ambitious enough for him. He walked to Manchester United where Sir Alex Ferguson took him in with open arms. He almost forgot how much Arsenal contributed to his well being, including during a much publicized rape case.
Injury free seasons were rare for the Dutchman. His last season at Arsenal was incidentally injury free. Van Persie struck 37 goals in all competitions, sending the Gunners to the Champions League. The Gunners are surely indebted to him for such a wonderful season; however, they surely cannot forget the manner in which Van Persie walked out.
The Dutch International nonetheless was not the first star to exit the Emirates in such a manner. Mathieu Flamini and Aliaksandr Hleb of course jumped ship to supposedly bigger clubs as well previously as did Thierry Henry. Only Francesc Fabregas left with dignity, expressing his love towards the club and the manager Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal on Sunday will have to welcome the Champions; this is a tradition in England which must be followed. Arsenal fans refused to welcome them already. However, the players must do so. Robin Van Persie will walk through the ground he played his heart out on, the ground he threw tantrums on and the ground on which he grew into a world class player as a Champion of England.
Arsenal has seen an exodus of stars down the years. Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri weakened them by leaving the Gunners; however, it is Van Persie who caused them the most harm. Nonetheless, the Gunners should applaud him, even if just during the traditional welcoming of the Champions.
Van Persie is the reason why they played in the Champions League this season. Van Persie provided them excellent service, despite occasional costly losses of temper. His sale along with that of Alex Song provided Arsenal with the money to buy Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud. Giroud in particular is performing better this season than Van Persie did in his inaugural season at Arsenal.
Van Persie scored 196 goals for the club. More does not need to be said. He transferred to United at 29 years of age. He has had an exceptional season but he is closer to retiring age now (unless he lasts as long as Teddy Sheringham) than he is to becoming a long term prospect up front for United, especially given his injury record.
Arsenal fans will not want to welcome Van Persie considering the circumstances surrounding his departure. At the end of the day though, may be Arsenal fans can forgive him for a few hours and instead applaud him for each of those 196 goals he knocked in past various keepers in his successful eight year spell.
Van Persie wrote an open letter before heading to Manchester United. The words of the letter expressed thinly veiled insults at Arsenal; Arsenal was just not ambitious enough for him. He walked to Manchester United where Sir Alex Ferguson took him in with open arms. He almost forgot how much Arsenal contributed to his well being, including during a much publicized rape case.
Injury free seasons were rare for the Dutchman. His last season at Arsenal was incidentally injury free. Van Persie struck 37 goals in all competitions, sending the Gunners to the Champions League. The Gunners are surely indebted to him for such a wonderful season; however, they surely cannot forget the manner in which Van Persie walked out.
The Dutch International nonetheless was not the first star to exit the Emirates in such a manner. Mathieu Flamini and Aliaksandr Hleb of course jumped ship to supposedly bigger clubs as well previously as did Thierry Henry. Only Francesc Fabregas left with dignity, expressing his love towards the club and the manager Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal on Sunday will have to welcome the Champions; this is a tradition in England which must be followed. Arsenal fans refused to welcome them already. However, the players must do so. Robin Van Persie will walk through the ground he played his heart out on, the ground he threw tantrums on and the ground on which he grew into a world class player as a Champion of England.
Arsenal has seen an exodus of stars down the years. Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri weakened them by leaving the Gunners; however, it is Van Persie who caused them the most harm. Nonetheless, the Gunners should applaud him, even if just during the traditional welcoming of the Champions.
Van Persie is the reason why they played in the Champions League this season. Van Persie provided them excellent service, despite occasional costly losses of temper. His sale along with that of Alex Song provided Arsenal with the money to buy Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud. Giroud in particular is performing better this season than Van Persie did in his inaugural season at Arsenal.
Van Persie scored 196 goals for the club. More does not need to be said. He transferred to United at 29 years of age. He has had an exceptional season but he is closer to retiring age now (unless he lasts as long as Teddy Sheringham) than he is to becoming a long term prospect up front for United, especially given his injury record.
Arsenal fans will not want to welcome Van Persie considering the circumstances surrounding his departure. At the end of the day though, may be Arsenal fans can forgive him for a few hours and instead applaud him for each of those 196 goals he knocked in past various keepers in his successful eight year spell.
