Originally Posted by
Power_n_Glory
That seems very unlikely. Would it make sense for RVP to go into a meeting to call for more strikers and then make a statement saying we disagreed with the direction we're going in? We don't know what was said but that doesn't seem logical and it's clutching at straws. I presume the talks he had before the Euros with Gaz and Wenger weren't positive, hence the need to place a gagging order on him. Why did we feel the need to try and control the media at that point? Also, Grimandi has already said that Giroud is a replacement for RVP. It's in this thread.
As for 'mouthing off'. If a gag order has been placed on him during the Euros and PHW makes a statement which questions his loyalty and integrity as a player, couldn't that be the reason why he's released a statement? I get that people are beating RVP over the head with this 'disrespecting the club' talk and airing out dirty laundry but surely it works both ways? Gooners made a good point about PHW doing the same with Cesc when saying he can't make it into the Barca team. With RVP he linked him to Man City and then had the cheek to talk about players that are loyal like Giggs and Scholes, completely ignoring the fact that we haven't won anything in years, we have that silly 30 plus contract rule and are quick to shove older players out the door and we don't even pay our top stars that well even when they're prepared to give their whole career to the cause.
But all that aside, if we're going to talk about RVP 'mouthing off' it's only right to acknowledge what PHW said while RVP couldn't defend himself. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I suspect we placed a gag order on RVP to try and construct our own story in the press us fans wouldn't think we're being tight with money again. I think we've been leaking stories to the press and I back that up with Ferguson's claim about Manchester United's bid for RVP.
As for him looking stupid over the comments he made. Henry, Vieira, Pires, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Parlour, Wright, Merson, Keown....they have all said something along the same line about the club. Henry was calling for us to sign SWP just before the Spurs derby and was pissed with the club. You've seen what Vieira said and that was when we were still winning. RVP was probably wrong to make a statement and assume fans would understand his intentions or back him. What he has said is no secret and it's not as if it hasn't been said on forums, blogs, by ex Arsenal players, pundits, etc. Maybe he should have kept quiet, but would it have been better if people assumed he was a mercenary? Just look at Theo's case. He's kept quiet, played the PR game, but he's getting shitted on anyway and people are actually debating whether or not he's worth a the wages. I've seen a few posts where people are doing the same with RVP and suggesting he's not worth the wages anyway. Whatever the scenario, RVP would have been the villain if he refused a new deal. Bound to happen.