Good Bye RVP!

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie admits he "will always feel a Gunner" whatever the outcome of pivotal contract talks due to take place this summer.

The Netherlands international spoke after receiving the Football Writers' Player of the Year award in recognition of his fine form this term which has seen him hit 27 Premier League goals.

And he described the moment he signed for the club eight years ago using former vice-chairman David Dein's 'lucky' pen.

"[Dennis] Bergkamp signed with it. [Thierry] Henry did. [Patrick] Vieira did," he said.

"My heart was running hard for Arsenal. Whatever happens with me I'll always feel a Gunner."

He also praised former team-mates Vieira, Henry, Tony Adams and Cesc Fabregas in his acceptance speech, hailing them as "incredible captains" for Arsenal.

He said: "It makes me very proud to be here, I have seen the list [of previous winners], and for me, I never really thought I would be sitting here winning this trophy.
"But even this season I was not really thinking about winning a trophy for myself, I was just playing because I love it and for Arsenal to finish as high as possible in the league.

"When I found out I had actually won it, I was a bit surprised, and was like 'what me? really?'

"It makes me really proud to be part of that history."

The Dutchman went on to thank the assembled journalists for their votes, saying that they know the game best as they watch every match.

He added: "The writers know everything about the season because they have seen every single game, analysed ever goal, every move, they know everything about you.

"They are doing interviews with me and other players, they get a clear picture of who is the best player, which is why it means so much that these guys have voted for me."

The striker's future is currently uncertain, with his contract set to expire in 2013 and Manchester City reportedly ready to make a summer move.

And the 28-year-old admitted that no talks have yet been scheduled with the Gunners hierarchy regarding an extension.

He added: "We still have to set a date after the end of the season for meeting with [Ivan] Gazidis and the boss [Arsene Wenger].

"Arsenal are an unbelievable club and the player I am today is because of Arsenal."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ain-van-persie

[Olivier's xmas twist]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ain-van-persie

Well lets hope he keeps his mind off his future and on the task in hand in the next 2 games.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ain-van-persie

Sounds a bit final, one step forwards two back if we lose RvP. Hopefully PHW makes the final payment on his yacht the Jolly Well Rogered before the summer and RvP can stay.

[Syn]

Been rubbish recently. We've seen the best of him. Would've secured 3rd two games ago had he turned up in April.

But seriously, it's a tricky situation because I don't think top clubs will want him. 29 is a horrible age to sign a player because, as Wenger says, it offers you no value for money at all ( Arteta ).

But it has all been discussed. I think the 'nightmare scenario' presented on the TC podcast this week is quite likely. It'll linger on until July which will be a disaster.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Been rubbish recently. We've seen the best of him. Would've secured 3rd two games ago had he turned up in April.

But seriously, it's a tricky situation because I don't think top clubs will want him. 29 is a horrible age to sign a player because, as Wenger says, it offers you no value for money at all ( Arteta ). But it has all been discussed. I think the 'nightmare scenario' presented on the TC podcast this week is quite likely. It'll linger on until July which will be a disaster.

Intresting and with his Injury record not sure many would want to take a masive gamble, we have been lucky with him this season but who knows with him and i can see that stop us getting a top fee for him if we did sell him.

[IBK]

This 'don't have time to talk' thing spouted by players is total crap. Its the players' agents and advisers that do the negotiations, and they will hold talks when they are told to.

RVP wants to wait and see a) Whether we get CL football, b) Whether we make any more signings and c) What other interest comes in for him so he can gauge his value. Perfectly sensible and reasonable for a player in his position at a club in our position.

The difference between him and Fabregas is that Arsenal is clearly his favourite club. The difference between him and Nasri is that he has actually done something for us that justifies us breaking the bank to keep him (and he's not a ****).

The club has been good to RVP and one would like to think that there is a basic desire to stay that wasn't there with those little shits last Summer. So if the club can perform reasonably in each of the areas above, there's reason to be hopeful. If not then he will leave - and the concern for us will be wider than losing our best player and captain (again) - it will be that we have basically thrown in the towel as regards being a trophy winning team - at least for the forseeable future.

[Joker]

Top clubs will want him given his goalscoring record. If you look at his Arsenal career, he has had 209 starts and 130 goals. He had trouble staying injury free but he was always capable of 1 in 2 and he's proved that. This will probably be his last major contract, and I don't think European clubs will be put off by the fact that he'll be 29. His game isn't based on speed anyway.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Top clubs will want him given his goalscoring record. If you look at his Arsenal career, he has had 209 starts and 130 goals. He had trouble staying injury free but he was always capable of 1 in 2 and he's proved that. This will probably be his last major contract, and I don't think European clubs will be put off by the fact that he'll be 29. His game isn't based on speed anyway.

Theirs wanting him and then theirs spending big on him. anyone manager with a brain wants him i don't think you'd find many who turn him down, but its how much they pay for him if we were to sell him.

He'd be good in Italy and have another 5-6 years. But in spain can't see him lasting that long.

[Marc Overmars]

RVP is the sort of striker who could play well into this 30's, he's comfortable dropping deep and playing between attack and midfield. Although I'm not sure if he'd be given that opportunity in Spain, Barca or Madrid would use him for 3 years tops before moving him on. Italy is probably where he would be given more security.

Just sign up here and become a legend FFS.

[-Xs-]

If he goes, he goes. I just hope we refuse to sell to another PL club if he does indeed wish to go