Yesterday we were told the news that Aaron Ramsey and Robin van Persie will be back in full training next week, and whilst being delighted at Ramsey finally recovering from his horrible injury, I couldn’t really care if van Persie is ready to return or not.
Don’t get me wrong, he is a fabulous player when he is fully fit, but those previous five words just follow him around. He is hardly ever fit.
In the past 12 months he can’t have played more than 10 games for the club and right now I would start three players before him in Chamakh, Bendtner and Walcott. The thing with van Persie is that he is a notoriously slow starter anyway, even his lightning start to last season took a couple of games to really get going.
Usually just before he returns from injury there is a lot of excitement building with the fans, it happens to me too, just this time I’m not at all fussed.
Looking ahead to the game against West Ham tomorrow Vermaelen is still ages from returning, Diaby is still injured and Kieran Gibbs is out for a few weeks with knee ligament damage. You would expect Chamakh, Nasri and Arshavin to resume up front but with Bendtner and Theo breathing down their necks they are going to have to fight to retain their starting roles.
It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see an unchanged midfield and defence from the City game last weekend with Song and Denilson continuing in midfield, though don’t discount Rosicky being thrown in to make the side more attacking. I have to admit though, I really like the Song/Denilson partnership.
As you can probably tell, news right now is pretty scarce – and where it appears it is boring as anything. That’s why I have a nice competition for you to ease your boredom….
I have a book to give away to one lucky reader courtesy of GCR Books – apublisher of fantastic Arsenal books. To enter you have to answer one simple question and the winner will get free copy of either ‘Cliff Bastin Remembers‘, ‘Herbert Chapman on Football‘ or ‘Billy Gooner’s First Match‘. Take your pick…
Today’s question is:
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery is a fictional murder mystery in which the Arsenal team of 1939 play which fictional amateur side?
a) Sparta Athletic
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c) The Trojans
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Thank you someone for speaking some sense!!! Am sick of everyone getting excited about RVP but then he takes 5 games to play at a decent level. Ruins our flow every time. Sell him and dont even bother buying a replacement as far as I’m concerned.
How can u people talk like this, RVP showed in 20 min last season what we missed. Imagine what we can get when he is fit. Yeah I agree his comeback creates alot of hyper-activity but if he clicks it is worth it. Also, its not his fault he got screwed by Chiellini alst year, and by Blackburn this year…so give the guy a mental break. YES IF HE PLAYS BADLY, THEN U CAN TALK AND I WILL KEPP MY MOUTH SHUT !!
CHEERIO
@DKD, 2 starts since November 2009.
He’d have cost over £4m to give us f all.
Next time he plays, watch how he runs behind defenders to receive a pass like the ball will magically go through the defender. The passing stats of the team are much lower when he plays due to his poor positioning.
I care about him, he is our best player after Cesc and must always be in the starting line up when fit, I also think he is one of the most loyal players at the club, selling him shouldn’t even be considered.
Thats the way Arsenal fans go with, when Arsenal is in good run we forget Van Persie,what is this?? i mean why should we think like this this is not how to be with a player, lets not forget what he done in past for us and he is a young striker with lots of qualities in him, he is an Arsenal Legend and Arsenal’s Great Striker for ever… get out of these nonsense comments..
What an idiotic comment. RVP is the ONLY world class striker we have at the club, he is technically unparalleled by 90% of the strikers in world football and has had appalling luck with injuries over the last few seasons. He is 27 years old and has at least 5 good years left in him.
It is frustrating to see idiotic Arsenal fans suggesting we do not need players because things are going well.
So lets say Chamakh picks up an injury – then we have Bendtner as our only recognised striker at the club.
It is a long hard gruelling season. RVP is as valuable to the club as as anyone.
It is also a shame to see fans turn their back on a player who adores the club and has been nothing but loyal since his arrival.
Shame on you.
Really curious what your “thing” with RvP is, one thing’s for sure, though, he suits our passing game more than any of the sluggish strikers we have. That is not deprecating the superb work Chamack’s been doing this season but I just think he is better than all of them with his feet and he is a decent header as well. I don’t understand when you say all the time that it takes him a few games to get going. That stopped a long time ago bcos he’s soooo mature now. We were playing shite sometimes last season and he was just coming back from injury at Spurs and he almost single-handedly won us that game! I would start him over every single one of them….but as you stressed, WHEN HE IS FIT.
Robin v. Persie is the best finisher at the club. Could Bendtner, Vela or Chamakh have played Theo in at Blackburn the way he did? I think not! I’d rather have him in a cup final than the other strikers, as he will more than likely bag a crucial goal.
Chamakh works hard but his technique is no where as clinical and if the wingers or midfield don’t score, we are in trouble when games are tight.
I just think Wenger has to make sure he’s completely ready and not rush him back, then ease him in.
…. I think you will care he is returning when things aren’t going for us as it is at the moment. I think present situation influences very much the opinion of gooners as I commented in the post after the City game how the views about the team could swiftly switch from “phenomenon” to “catastrophe”.
Since he was injured for Holland last November, Van Persie has featured in only FIVE matches for Arsenal, and one of those was a 3 minute sub appearance during the defeat at Wigan. Every season he’s missed at least 6-8 weeks, without fail. You just can rely on him.
I also think his style limits us a little, he’s not the quickest and despite working on his right foot he’s still very one footed when it comes to anything other than blasting the ball.
It’s funny how the fans seem to take to Robin so much, when you compare him to Bendtner their stats at the same age are very similar, yet there seems to be a level of hostility towards the Big Dane.
Like I say, RvP is a fabulous player I just think we can’t consider him a regular. On top of that, what right has he just to walk back into the side?
” In the past 12 months he can’t have played more than 10 games for the club and right now I would start three players before him in Chamakh, Bendtner and Walcott. The thing with van Persie is that he is a notoriously slow starter anyway, even his lightning start to last season took a couple of games to really get going.
He is our second best player in our sqaud… A luxury player who DOES NOT NEED GAMES TO GET GOING. Remember white hart land last season? Came on as a sub and could’ve got a hatrick… He did not start scoring like crazy in the beginning yeh… but he played freaking well and got assists. Do you even remember him?
Chamakhs great but VP is the real deal. And you would even start Bendtner infront of him? this post must be to provoke some kinda reaction. You did
everyone knows van persie is one of the best strikers around. so who cares about the “when fully fit” part? when he is fit, use him. if hes not , let him rest . we can still cope without him . but him coming in and even giving us 3 months a season is vital… all the pessimists should stop kidding themselves and just get behind everyone and anyone in an arsneal shirt. GET EXCITED GUYS, when fit, he will own.
thing is though – after that spurs game he was really bad in the next few games…. as usually is when he returns from injuries.
RVP may be good but am beginning to think we may never see him play for even a half a season without major injury.
I think Arsenal needs a “Bendtner” kind of striker all season long. A good finisher needs other elements to score and that includes positioning, belief and confidence.
Wallcot’s been so impressive and indeed there are always many goals when B52 & W14 play.
My 2 cents… I will reply to select comments.
@Micheal our best player after Cesc? Really? Is that because he’s done so much for the team?
@Gooner Jay RVP World Class. Because he’s won… oh yeah f*ck all. Not even a golden boot or player of the year. What has he won… ermm… 4 player of the month awards. Well done. World Class my arse. More like red and white tinted overrated.
@kunlewoye RVP’s passing and receiving passing stats is worse than any other striker we have. So how does he suit our passing game? His shots to goal ratio are actually worse than Bendtners as well.
@eirik does not need games to get going?? Are you serious?? Do you only watch match of the day or matches on a stream with the picture the size of your nob end?? He’s bloody awful for about 5-6 games in a row before he picks up form. After that Spuds game he was pants for every game after that.
suddenly chamakh, bendtner and walcott are better than our number 10.
what a stupid post?
the same idiots are now targetting vela. arsene knows why he’s keeping him. his turn will came and he’ll shine.
we beat man city but they have big squad to challenge for trophies till the end of season.
Why do we even have to bitch about this? The only thing we should take from our current situation is that we’re lucky that the squad is strong enough to cope without rvp right now, but at the same time there’s no need to doubt what he can bring when he plays. Basically we’re in a good spot with the options we have, and if he pops up with a final winning goal like he always can, who’s going to be counting the 4 mil we spent keeping him in the squad? Robin loves arsenal so give him some support ffs.
van Persie is a world class striker, and any talk of selling him, imo, is crazy. But he is turning out to be a luxury player, only available for a handful of games per season. He also should not be allowed to simply walk back into the side.
I agree with you that RVP is injury prone but at he same time you can hardly dispute he fact that he is our best striker when he is back in tune. He is probably just as frustrated as you about this fact. However, to say that you dont care is not showing a lot of love.
In much the same way as you cant blame a wounded soldier for moving slowly, you cannot make it look like it is of his own doing. No player chooses to be out of the game for any length of time.
And now suddenly bendtner and Walcott are our saviors, when from reading some of the comments a few months ago they were useless. Dont get me wrong i like them all, just saying a little less fickle-mindedness would prevent a lot more feet in mouths.
Some would keep Vela over RvP….. mental, that one. I tell you
Gosh! People cud be forgetful.This’ a player dat wud giv all he cud to revamp the team from mess;remember his ‘die minute’ superb freekick against Everton in 2007.Tell me any of other 4wards dat can take such kicks.He remains d only wrld class hitman after Henry. It takes a dedicated & enthutiastic striker to get injured often.Keep such trash,pleee…as!
We need everyone returning to give us best possible chance of silverware.anyone who suggests van persie is a waste of time or should be sold is talking bollocks simple as that.this guy is pure class a player who is admired by coaches and clubs world wide.do yous not have any connection with this guy after his loyalty,respect,and love for arsenal fc has never been in doubt.personally i care about rvp and have huge respect and sympathty for him for his injury problems.now your more than entitled to your opinion of which i respect but i feel yous say these things about him out of pure frustration because ive been the same with his absence to the team year in year out.it aint his fault im sure hes sick of not playing,even if we get 10 games out of him this season it will make big difference.remember this things are good right now and yous say yous dont care about rvps return,will picture this nightmare halloween scenario what if we lost 2morrow,it wouldnt look good for us at all and we would be extremely low,well i bet yous would be calling for bendtner,chamakh,walcott,or arshavins head and saying robin where are you,where are you.football can change in an instance so enjoy the good times and care for all at arsenal fc manager,players,fans,and all the hard working staff.till next time thanks.
what a fucking idiotic commentators . to me . RVP means a lot to Gunners . This has been proved by RVP himself since he joined Gunners from Ajax . Just compare back his technical left-footed skill .Is there any player at the club that can do the as him few years ago ? Mind somebody telling me ?
alot of fans dont care who plays aslong as their team win. RVP is only a player to care about if he delivers. Otherwise hes garbage. the goon blog thinks that anyway…
All our player are best I cant single one except arshavin and diaby
id like to respond to nakamura please,you say after spurs rvp was poor for a few games,well maybe thats true as i think i remember at the time remarking on that.but is it fair to slate a guy whos been out injured for so long,does a player previously injured or not,not need 4,5,6 games to really get up to speed and perfect form.you could say that about every player on the planet that they were bad for several games after returning from their injury.how do you explain w.rooneys massive drop in form?i think the answer lies mainly because of stop start injury niggles.walcott and nasri were the exception to the rule of taking bit of time to find sharpness and form,but then again they didnt go to world cup and had incredible hunger and desire to get fit and flying from the off.frankly im staggered to read this site were people are giving rvp both barrels am i the only happy gooner right now,whats happening here,im a massive fan of rvp and also very pleased the other lads are coping so well without him.i urge yous to support all who adorn the famous red and white.
After the Spurs game our tittle hopes were up and the team on a whole had given up and wasn’t playing well hence defeats to Wigan and Rovers, it is beyond me how someone can single out RVP during that time even though he still continued his great scoring record against Rovers.
I can’t wait to see him back in the starting line up, RVP 10 all the way.
Hi guys, did any one remember how wrong we was for forcing Arsene to buy a keeper?
Now what we have it is better then to spoil that 4m, ok my point is: another stupid coment from the same people bout rvp, I am tell all of u just get zkk zip in ur mouth and leave r.v.p alone. He is good and better then all of u, I think that b…ster call “baz” he make u like him. S..d one
Some of the views expressed on here are completely ignorant.
Robin van Persie is one of the most gifted strikers on the planet, and as for those who listen to rumours rather than actually watch what really does happen! Check out videos of his goals and you will notice how many are scored with his right foot, you may surprise yourself if you are willing to be open minded. Some of the comments indicate that being open to reality is not an option.
In the words of a certain other number 10, one Dennis Bergkamp, He reckons that RVP is the most technically gifted player at Arsenal, furthermore former Holland coach Marco van Basten rates him the best player in the Holland squad! But hey what do those idiots know compared to you lot?
Let’s show RVP some love, he’s good when fully fit and he inspires us when brought in as a sub. especially if we’re already down. You’re saying all these because of our player’s form right now but the season is too young for over confidence. We need to win silverwares this season and we need every resources(players) to achieve this. We need RVP more than ever now, so stop discriminating!!!
RVP from Ajax ?
dats new…thanks
a long stint on the sub’s bench for van the man me thinks.
Nobody said Wenger knows here yet, thats feching new.. Lett the squad be as it is, strengt in dept we dont need now because we won a few games in a row.. We never had a better squad then this, show us if it works..
Get of Rvp back, That said he shoudnt be alowed to walk back in the team, but thats up to Wenger not Rvp. As long av we on a winning streak he should be limited to sub apperenses and having to prove he is better then the others
Nobody said Wenger knows here yet, thats feching new.. Lett the squad be as it is, strengt in dept we dont need now because we won a few games in a row?? We never had a better squad then this, show us if it works..
Get of Rvp back, That said he shoudnt be alowed to walk back in the team, but thats up to Wenger not Rvp. As long av we on a winning streak he should be limited to sub apperenses and having to prove he is better then the others
Whoever says.RVP needs 4-5 games before he adapts should check his return at whyte hart land last season.He scored the consolation goal at blakkburn last season,so what do you mean when yu say RVP is a slow starter.2yrs ago he saved us from chelski.Mourinho wouldn’t say he want him if he is as slow as yu say. R.V.P FOREVER.
Please, don’t just start with these unfaithful talk.Van Persie is a good striker which almost arsenal fans really like bcos of tremendeuos work he had done in the past and what he stil have in mind to do for arsenal.Van Persie is our arsenal Heroe and pls when he’s back from injury, Arsen Wenger should make sure that Van Persie is on first eleven team.from Nigeria
Q- how silly?
A- veeerrrrrryyyyy!!!!
2words- charlton volley.
I think people who are criticizing this blog should read it again. Nowhere is it mentioned that RVP is a bad player yet we have guys writing stories about what a classy player he is. Well, he is a classy player. No doubt about that. But he is a crock, is what the author is getting at. His ankle is made of glass. As an Arsenal fan it is very frustrating to see him get constantly injured just when you expect great things from him. Its not his fault but its just unfortunate that Arsenal fans have to put up with this injury crisis that keeps hitting the players!
remember though gunner asante van persie made spurs keeper make the 2 best saves he ever made,come to think of it maybe the only 2 hes made.no rvp was class that night but only played last 20 or 30 mins,and he was poor after that but quite understandably because he was only back after long term injury.there is a difference in playing 20 mins and then 3 or 4 games of 90 mins after bad injury.look im mad fan about this lad and he has awesome ability,he will always be injury prone but always in the arsenal faithfuls hearts.just got a vision of that goal at charlton and the one in the emirates cup a year or 2 back,think it was against one of the milans but could be wrong.he scores the type of goals that no other in prem score and he like all our forward line is very,very important.truth is this is a stupid topic,we shouldnt even be discussing rvp,we should be praising the improvement of are current playing staff.
I am gutted really gutted by the comments made about van Persie. In my knowledge he has not done anything to earn such mean comments. Van Persie brings something to the team that no other player in the team can bring. If anyone says he was not missed in the game against Chelsea or Sunderland or West Brom, he would be dishonest.
Yes, he is injury prone…but is that his fault? Judging by the way things are going we could also safely say that statistics seem to indicate that Theo and Gibbs are also injury prone. Are we also going to be uncharitable to these players as well. Van Persie created the first goal scored against Blackburn, and it was a great contribution. His introduction against Liverpool added a sense of urgency to the attack.
Should we expect van Persie to be in terrific form in his first game? No! All players take time to work themselves to peak form and even full fitness.
Van Persie needs our full support because a fully fit Van Persie exponentially increases our chances of winning any game. Generally the standard of free kicks, set pieces, and penalties has been low in his absence.
I am totally against fast tracking his return but fully aware that we need him desperately. Let us not allow the euphoria of the City win to fool us. The team needs to be strengthened, Van Persie, Vermalean are needed. The return to form of players such as Bendtner and Walcot is good because it allows the manager to rotate his players and keep them refresh. However, let us be honest with ourselves all these players have huge potential but they have not yet reached Van Persie’s level. They will benefit from his presence on the pitch.
This being the case I would say let us all be excited about Van Persie’s return and while he recovers let us give him our full support.
Agree Lutfur, well said.
But I suspect the goonblog is having a laugh. Couldn’t be serious. Stirring the pot! Well done!
great player. but with the other strikers, he should be given extra time to train and prepare to become match fit
he is made to be in the side, he’s a great striker. but there’s no point in rushing him back unless we have other problems
winner you are the winner,very clever and accurate comments,top man and sound like intelligent arsenal follower.robin and aaron need our support and patience,im sure they are very much keen to play once again,but players of this class need extra care and cant be rushed back.i feel for young gibbs as obviously hes had a rough time this last 18 months with injurys but a player with time on his side.does anyone know when tv5 is back? and young keeper chesny the other night looks the part.reality is there is more currently at arsenal to positive about than at any other club in premiership thats a fact.so to read such things is disappointing.have barca opened talks with affelay,this could be bad and good news for arsenal as we might miss out on a top target but cescs stay should possibly be prolonged,looking at him this last while he looks very happy which is a change from earlier in season.i havent made my mind up yet on koscielny and squillaci but the former seems tidier on the ball,nice passer.
there is only one thing i hate about being an Arsenal supporter. that is the muppet supporters that turn on their players and coach and club when something is not going the way we planned or want it to.
RVP. you have my support you legend. loyalty like yours is rare these days in football.
Arsene. whatever you decide to do with our club i support you fully. id rather have you in the top job than any other coach i can think of.
and finally to all the negative arsenal supporters always calling for blood? fuck off to tottenscum or chelski. they have plenty of space for revolving door support.
in Arsenal i trust no matter what.
apparently we know better than proffessional sports staff. fkn muppets some supporters.
RVP is world class and regardless of injury needs to remain an arsenal player for as long as the arsenal coaching staff deem it necessary. end of. how bout we just SUPPORT our great team no matter what. how many other clubs have the proud history of our club? which club has been in the top flight without relegation the longest? how many consecutive years have arsenal been in the CL?
Gunners for ever, no matter what.
@ THE I:
“RVP’s passing and receiving passing stats is worse than any other striker we have”….really?! That is very much your opinion, but to think Bendtner, Walcott, Vela, Arshavin(yes, the one that almost always gets it wrong)and the rest of them touch and pass better than RvP is very, very ludicrous, or have you been watching Arsenal from South America? Arsenal di Sarandi I mean.
As much as i think it is a silly topic this one,what isnt silly but realistic is rvp could be moved along because of injuries.it could well be the club decide sometime soon with great sadness that it aint going to work and they might cash in on a player with a big global reputation.we might see another eduardo scenario,hope im wrong and rvp can have a long time injury free and back to his superb best because hes only 26 or 27 and there is time on his side yet.no matter what he like dudu will always be much loved amongst the arsenal faithful.broke my heart when wee eduardo left especially after reading his parting letter to all at the club including us wonderful arsenal fans.it was extremely refreshing to hear a football pro speak so fondly of his employers and it showed that arsenal was something special to him,us fans know of course how special this club is and we shall hammer the hammers tommorrow no problem.im 33 years old and followed the gunners from i was about 3 years old,i know every club has a rough spell but most clubs have it far rougher than us,we have been trophyless for a few seasons but what about it,does this make you any less fonder of this fine club i ask?,i bet the answer has 2 letters,a little more patience required but we will get there absolutely no doubt about that.i fancy at least 1 trophy this season.
@ Rory:
“but the former seems tidier on the ball,nice passer”
That exactly is what I think about Koscielny! He looks more confident on the ball than the experienced Squillaci.. sweet passer,too! TV5 when he’s back and Kozzy all the way!!!!
He is the most LOYAL player Arsenal has. He is very good. We should never sell him. What he can do is amazing. We need him as well as everyone.
He has had his good moments with Arsenal and we were at peace regarding transfer rumours and all… very respectful and loyal player. The heading of this very post should be changed imvho.
Do yous not rate j.djourou then?,because for me the best centre back partnership could well be tv5 and johan.having said that im unsure really about that and koscielny needs more playing time and i need more observation.djourou though i believe to have a lot of ability and he like others will only forfill undoubted potential with lots of games and staying out of treatment rooms.really what im saying and im sure of this is tv5 your number 1 centre back but who will be your long term playing partner at centre back,this position very much like the keeper one,its up for grabs now?.Just had a flash back to m.thomas at anfield there after the commentator said those great words.we do need a trophy as im haunted by images of past glorys,but good times are on there way.
Djourou could be called upon when necessary but he loses his consciousness at times and he could be very casual at time. I should mention one pivotal interception he managed in the Newcastle match, I was impressed.
RVP is the man,,cant believe der is gooners dismissing this guys ability,a fit van persie is a fit arsenal,,,fact
Irish gooner spot on fellow.im from portadown myself and i agree arsenal are far stronger when the stylish dutch genius is fit and on fire,rvp your a dutch master like dennis the menace bergkamp before you.get yourself fit and strong because this talented group of players has room for one more super talent to have a full scale attack on all fronts.cant wait to see medals round his and other arsenal players necks.rvp and cesc deserve nothing more than medals as they have been brill for us and very loyal.
What a ridiculous statement!
RVP is the best striker at Arsenal by a country mile and I for one am buzzin about his return.
I reckon he’ll compliment Chamakr and Nasri in a front three. Walcott is also bangin on the door.
Great times for the AFC.
Ramsey, Wilshere and Cesc in midfield!
Jesus, we are so close to having a truly legendary team.
Clichy is my biggest worry at the back. The guy has gone backwards in the last two seasons and he’s not improved this season. Gibbs is needs a chance but his constant injuries are a worry. Left back is a big concern to me.
FOYS
x
Rvp is top class and I hope he retires with us
goonertank:
I couldn’t agree more mate!
I think this time around I like RVP to still injured. It because if it follow the schedule, he will be ok right before international friendly. And he always injured when with holland. Holland coach already put his name in the roster.
I watch A lot of holland games especially during last World cup and really RVP is just making th enumber into the team, other player don’t pass him the ball and snidjer shoot whenever he got the ball, even when he is blocked.
Rvp is a very gifted player…..reminds me of (sorry to say this) Darren Anderton aka sick note!!! But the best thing about Rvp is his loyalty to the club. He loves arsenal and when he is fit he gives his all!!! It’s all about your squad now not just the first eleven… So Rvp should be kept and used when fit!! We can cope with out him and as time moves on our other forward players will improve and maybe reach Rvp level… If they do then they will all have to fight for the place in the starting line…. What could be better!!
And who cares?A lot of fans do,RVP has that technical skill in scoring goals that is superb to watch and lasting it stays in memory,often well constructed and executed. Like good food presented by a master chef in good mood,exquisite.
[...] final word on my, what turned out to be, controversial thoughts on Robin van Persie yesterday: I fully believe that van Persie is an exceptional player when fit… he is just hardly [...]
I hate arsenal fans, and I support arsenal
and who ever wrote this crop of sh*t is a complete turnip head van the man persie is probly when fit arsenals best player no one has he’s ability and ball control he will recover from these injurys just like rosicky, to be honest I don’t rate chamak that much he’s not the goal machine we needed, persie is the only striker we have who would b able to score plus 25 goals season you will see when he’s back, plus he’s goals are disgustingly amazing, against Blackburn, united, charlton, Chelsea he one the game for us on he’s own, can you really see chamak or bendy doing that??
Any guys agreeing the author of this article will regret when he were there to beat Barcelona, MU or Real. He’s the one who can change decisive games, not matter he is consistent or not.
And, as fans, I think anyone should pay tribute to anyone who get hurt for the respectful records of the club, unless he’s not performing.
Wenger will not treat even Cole as bad as that. Shame on this article.
Have a thought for the man. Do you you think he intentionly gets himself injured..? He’s been unlucky with injuries and I for one am happy for his return. Hope he makes it to the end of the season. Much love for the player. You should stop bitchin’, pussy
I thought this was a good post but it turns out from some of the reactionary vitriol, that it was a courageous one, too.
I recall being practically threatened by a 25 year old gooner when, two seasons before he finally left, I suggested Thierry Henry was past his best, was becoming injury prone, and was doing the team and the squad few favours by his continued presence in the side. And yet Tel was one of my all time favourite players at a club I’ve supported for 40+ years. Sometimes though, your best players simply have to move on and so it is now, I think, with RvP.
When he first arrived at the club I worried his temperament might prevent him becoming a truly great player but it would appear it’s his fitness. A player’s value to any club can not be determined by his expressed loyalty to that club; frankly speaking, this should be a given when one adds up his cost to us every single week he is unavailable to us. The return on investment for the club in RvP is simply not sustainable as we are not big enough to simply have all that player value sitting on the sidelines week in, season out. Regardless of his ‘technical’ qualities, if we can not benefit from his unquestioned talent then we have to think about how better we could use his value. And as we all know, £25 million (or more?) in Wenger’s hands is worth £50 million+ in the hands of others (£75 million if you are M City).
The real tragedy for RvP is that this current Arsenal side – a side potentially very much on the brink of greatness – has grown up without him. Regardless of any stats, I struggle now to see where he would fit into our current first choice eleven other than as an expensive and irregular impact substitute. The secondary tragedy for Robin is the deleterious impact his international career has on his club career. The only way I would seriously reconsider him as a long-term Arsenal prospect would be if he were to retire from international football (even if he came out of ‘retirement’ for the next World Cup Finals). Scholes at Man U and to a lesser extent Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher have both significantly extended their club careers by ending their commitment to their country. Sad, very sad, but undeniably true.
My gut feeling is Wenger WILL sell him just as soon as he can get six months or so with him injury-free as his current saleable value must be seriously compromised by his lack of fitness and ceaseless vulnerability to injury.
I also believe, despite his periodic ‘assists’ that Arshavin’s days are numbered at the club. Clichy is, due to his bewildering abandonment of form is a third who will likely go in the summer if not before although he may yet benefit from Gibbs’ unfortunate setbacks. I hope (and believe) Walcott IS different as his development continues apace despite his earlier serious shoulder problems.
So, what’s it to be Robin – international retirement or a new club …? And if Robin, Andre and Gael all go, who will we get in return?
Probably anyone we fancied on the planet.
Absolutly nonsense. Rvp is the most committede arsenal player, The best arsenal finisher, and the most technical gifted player in the club. To think walcott, bendtner start ahead of him is a real joke.
I guarantee, if RvP only plays one game this entire season and scores the all important goal to win something BIG this season, this blogger will be singing a different tune.
Let us see how this season plays out, it appears 75% of the team have raised their game. Are they ready to over-take the INVINCIBLES??????
Technically they are better, in some departments, what is needed is the RESOLVE. {They promising themselves never to give up UNTIL}
[...] or be built around, as we simply don’t know if he will still be fit in five or ten games time. The Goon Blog said as much yesterday, too. There is no denying his world class skill and talent but, it’s a bit [...]
Personnally I feel this is ridiculous as he is clearly are best striker and must start when he is back to fitness.
Watch this videe….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPhDNJ59ZBI
Then try and tell me he shouldn’t play.
what u people want to run away from is that van persie has never won any awards to make him really world class. we love him and he is good. but the injuries are becoming too much! if he was half as good as you people paint him, then how come we had a top scorer in Cesc, a midfielder? After coming back from injury, how long did it take him to be injured? If u were a player and u know that u r injury prone, would u like to switch clubs? No, because ur current club overlooks that, a situation u might not find anywhere else. What happened to Kaka? A world class player who has won major accolades. Yet a few injuries and he is nowhere right now.
The thing is this. Let Wenger treat him the way he does Rosicky. Use him as a sub or start him but dont let him finish a game. Rosicky is rarely injured nowadays so, let Van Persie know that his position is not guaranteed.
Based on current form, and on the law of fairness, Bendtner, Chamakh and Walcott deserve to play in front of him.
However, he gives us more options up front so good luck to him with the injuries.
It really makes me angry when fellow gooners turn their back on one of the most talented, LOYAL players we currently have in our squad right now jsut because he’s been unlucky with injuries. RVP is an outstanding talent and even if he only played half a season every season i’d still have im in my squad anytime as im sure any football club in the world would. NO-ONE other player in our squad has a first touch like RVP not even Cesc. NO-ONE is better at set peices and NO-ONE has shown more loyalty than him. Yet some so called Arsenal fan whos got himself a blog can turn his back on him and all that just because he’s been injured a lot. Im sure if our run hadnt been as great lately you’d be saying ‘I cant wait for RVP to return’. Im sick and tired of our fucking shit supporters we have i really am. you are definately one of them.
I agree willy.RVP is still our man we have lot of expectation from him for i have always believed him.COme RVP more strong and make us proud
i agree that van persie is no longer exciting to me because of his injuries but the boy has talent, loves the club and we cannot run away from that. i think he has to decide and tell the dutch coach that he wont be available for friendlies. martin, i support you on the song/denilson partnership as i feel that it allows our attacking players to go all out and it balances the team and our defenders/keeper can grow in confidence for keeping clean sheets
What a fucking load of rubbish, the mighty RVP is the only world class striker we have and has shown nothing but loyalty to the Arsenal. When playing he is one of few players that can really make a difference on his own.
Wondering what kind of supporter you really are.
Idiot post from an idiotic blog
If he does stay fully fit then we will win things.
The only thing is that he has been very unlucky. He has had tottally different injuries and gets very bad challenges.
I would question a fan who activly wants to criticse players. He needs a chance, he needs protection by Wenger and referees. Because he is a great finisher, who we need.
It’s such a big shame how Arsenal Fans Talk about RVP. He’s our legend, So royal to our club. He doesn’t wanna be injured it just happens to any player in the world. this is the time to show him that we care for him and back him up.but instead showing hate to such player is a big shame. would be very unwise to compare RVP with Bendther, he misses too many goals.he’s a lazy ass. Long life RVP.
A couple of headers, jammy goals and dives, and suddenly Chamakh Is better than RVP???
What are you smoking???
When you look at his past few seasons you have to say Van Persie has contributed very little to the cause – he is an expensive liability just warming the treatment table. We have more than enough creative players in Fabregas, Wilshere, Nasri, Chamakh, Rosicky and Arshavin and we could do with an out and out goal scorer like Benzema – I would consider selling him but the trouble is no one wants a sick note……
How can he be world class and an Arsenal legend when he has achieved nothing ? The team is playing very well without him – I am not a great fan of him – to me he is just a leach….