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| (Mock applause for Arsenal's transfer policy) |
The football world is once again transfixed by the latest
instalment of “Arsenal and the Adventures of the Prudent Accounting Model”.
Having allowed the inevitable transfers of Messrs Nasri and Fabregas to rumble
on and on (and Ariston) during the summer of 2011, it appears that Wenger and
his cost-conscious colleagues have also allowed the Van Persie situation to
evolve into something of a saga.
RVP, having first robbed poor Rendezvous Point of his
acronym, then proceeded to concrete his reputation for mischief by announcing
to the world that he had no intention of renewing his contract with The
Arsenal... saying instead, “[it has] become clear to me that we, in many
aspects, disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward”.
With their star striker’s contract due to expire in the
summer of 2013, Arsenal are now, somewhat fittingly, starring down the barrel.
Do they retain their prized asset at the detriment of their finances, or
off-load him and risk a supporter’s backlash.
You may recall that during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of
2011, Wenger announced to the global media with some aplomb, that, “we want to
keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him. Samir Nasri is exactly
the same. We will do everything we can to keep him. I'm confident we can get
both of them to stay”. The motivation behind such a bold statement was
obviously two-fold; retain the services of his star men OR portray the clubs
strong stance in order to drive the highest price.
The statement however served to disrupt Nasri and Fabregas
further and their subsequent dissent weakened Arsenal’s stance... Fabregas eventually completed his much
anticipated move to long ball merchants Barcelona on the eve of the new season (15 August 2011); whilst Nasri’s move was finally
completed just days before the deadline. Wenger, like a scorned teenager,
proclaiming on Nasri’s departure that “he [Nasri] still loved the club” but
moved solely for money... presumably followed by “I didn’t like him anyway”.
Both Fabregas and Nasri then, despite Arsenal’s vocal claims,
eventually engineered their respective moves away. It’s worth noting that Arsenal
were so unsettled during this period of protracted negotiations that they failed
to win any of their August Premiership
games - the headline grabber an 8-1 capitulation at the hands of Manchester
United.
With similarities developing between 2011 and 2012, it may
well be that Van Persie is also confident that his desired move will materialize.
If so, perhaps this explains why the possible transfer to once bitter rivals
Manchester United has become so public, and also why RVP cut such a subdued figure
on his return to Arsenal's Cologne training camp.
Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of the small remaining English
franchise of Manchester United Inc., stated this week, with regards to his
ongoing pursuit of RVP,- that, “It’s difficult to say why they [Arsenal] are operating in this way” - a
sentiment I think a number of analysts share. Clearly it’s understandable why
Arsene Wenger (once arch enemy of Sir Alex, now pitied by him) is reluctant to
sell to a traditional foe like United or to 'parent club' City; but to run the risk of a fiasco like 2011 seems
suicidal... especially when you review the panic purchases Wenger made on the
approach to deadline day: -
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| (Lonesome George - RIP) |
·
Per Mertesaker - The man who moves slower than Lonesome George, tectonic
plates, and even some Australian athletes.
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Yossi Benayoun - The lank haired,
lank limbed former Liverpool and Chelsea substitute.
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Andre Santos - who!? Part-time full back, part-time nomad.
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Park-Chu Young – went on to play 1 game for Arsenal in 2011/2012
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Mikel Arteta – a good player, but prehaps a poor man’s Fabregas.
With
the above in mind, it must surely be concluded that Arsenal actually intend to
let RVP run down his contract and exit in 2013 (either that or Stoke fans are
right, Arsene is “cracking up”)... an exercise that would sanctify the contract
and perhaps serve as a lesson to all (ahem, Modric).
It will be interesting to see how events unfold, and how far
RVP is willing to go to force a move... Afterall, he has endured his former
teammates lifting Premiership & La Liga trophies since their departure – yet
Arsenal haven’t achieved anything but a respectable balance sheet since 2005.
Do you believe RVP will still be an Arsenal player come 1 September 2012?
If not, where will RVP be registered?
BC
@BobbyCowsill
FB Group - 'If that had gone in it would have been a goal'
