Arsenal captain Robin van Persie’s future is well and truly in the spotlight, but the Holland star owes the Gunners some loyalty despite their lack of silverware (Arsenal 1/6 to win no trophies in 2012-13).
The Dutchman will be 29 next month and for a striker he will know he possibly has three or four years left at the highest level – certainly as a first-team regular.
Van Persie, who is out of contract in 12 months, has already revealed he has no intention of re-signing for the Emirates outfit which leaves the financially prudent Arsene Wenger in a sticky situation.
The French boss is often moaned about for failing to spend the cash at his disposal and it is highly likely he will be horrified at the prospect of van Persie, who was on fire last season, walking away for nothing.
Van Persie will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement at the start of 2013 – should he not move on this summer – and a free-transfer move would be more lucrative for him in terms of wages.
From Wenger and the club’s point of view there is also the chance he could be persuaded to re-consider in 2012-13 if the Gunners make a strong start to the campaign – recent history has seen Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez both perform U-turns but admittedly for different reasons – although the converse is also true.
Reigning champions and current 5/4 favourites for the Premier League title, Manchester City, as well as Manchester United and Juventus are all credited with an interest in the product of the Feyenoord youth system.
However, one thing hardly mentioned is van Persie’s injury record over the years and the way Arsenal have continued to believe in him when other strikers such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner have been allowed to leave the club.
Van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004 and has played just over 200 games for the north Londoners, which works out at around 25 a season for a side which has often played twice that amount of matches.
Last season’s goalscoring heroics are not in question, but it must be remembered 2011-12 was his first campaign since 2008-09 when he was regularly available for selection.
From the player’s point of view, he probably has one big contract left to sign before he hangs up his boots but going from being the main man at Arsenal to just part of a large squad – albeit one in the shake-up for honours – could quite possibly be a culture shock.
Van Persie – even if 100% fit – would have no real guarantees over a regular first-team shirt and there is the real possibility of his career fizzling out as he struggles for game-time or match fitness – crucial for a striker – at a club which would not bend over backwards for him.
He should also remember the way Arsenal have stood by him given his injury record and the faith placed in him by appointing van Persie as captain when Cesc Fabregas jumped ship to Barcelona last summer.
Van Persie is a 10/1 shot to finish with the Premier League Golden Boot in May for the second season in a row although there are no guarantees he will be around to defend it.
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