Arsenal are once again facing transfer business headaches but the influence of new signing Olivier Giroud could ease the club’s pain.
Recently, Robin van Persie publicly declared that he will not renew his contract with the club. The Dutch star is on a deal which will expire at the end of the 2012/13 season. Arsenal are now fighting to extract positives from this transfer issue by selling their current captain to a top club at a good price.
According to former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi, the Gunners had predicted such an outcome concerning the future of Robin van Persie. Grimandi revealed in an interview with French website Le10sport.com:
“Was the recruitment of [ex-Montpellier striker] Giroud made to compensate for his [Robin Van Persie’s] departure? Yes, we worked to avoid being cornered.
“We want him to stay home but he is left with one year on his contract so it is complicated.
“At Arsenal, there is a healthy atmosphere, he’s been here for eight years and he has a real commitment to the club. If there is a great offer and if he wants to leave, it will be difficult to keep him.
“I would never have thought that players such as Thiago Silva [AC Milan defender] could be transferable and that was the case at a time. There are parameters you cannot handle.”
Arsenal secured the third and last automatic UEFA Champions League spot last season. Meanwhile, Gooners are hoping that the club will finally end its trophy drought come 2013.
According to former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi, the Gunners had predicted such an outcome concerning the future of Robin van Persie. Grimandi revealed in an interview with French website Le10sport.com:
“Was the recruitment of [ex-Montpellier striker] Giroud made to compensate for his [Robin Van Persie’s] departure? Yes, we worked to avoid being cornered.
“We want him to stay home but he is left with one year on his contract so it is complicated.
“At Arsenal, there is a healthy atmosphere, he’s been here for eight years and he has a real commitment to the club. If there is a great offer and if he wants to leave, it will be difficult to keep him.
“I would never have thought that players such as Thiago Silva [AC Milan defender] could be transferable and that was the case at a time. There are parameters you cannot handle.”
Arsenal secured the third and last automatic UEFA Champions League spot last season. Meanwhile, Gooners are hoping that the club will finally end its trophy drought come 2013.
