Should We Get Back Together With RvP?

Robin Van Persie, the former Arsenal skipper and talisman, had left Arsenal in one of the most hard-to-see break-ups ever. Him and Arsenal were on the level of a love relationship. He was our most loved player. There were the other hard break-ups in our lifetime, Cesc and Nasri left the previous year, but Cesc's reasons were understandable and Nasri was just a jerk. RvP, however, was a whole new level. It still affects us to this day and many gooners still obsess about it. All those years of Arsene's nurturing, through the injuries, that scandal and much more, he decides not to renew his contract. So much for loyalty. He then goes and joins our rivals, Man United. He cites our lack of ambition as a reason for leaving us and Man United's rich history, foundation and it's then coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, as the reasons he chose them, or at least the "Child inside him" did.

We had ended the season on a good note that year. We pipped Tottenham to the CL spot, again. We entered into the summer transfer window with great hopes. We had already signed Podolski and we were getting closer to Santi, a much needed creative reinforcement in midfield that we were in dire need  of then. And with Wilshere coming back from the season long injury, our squad was looking good but it was never meant to be. RvP left us and set our team back two steps.

Things got even harder for us to bare when we watched him score day in, day out for Man United. He had left us in shambles as we had attacking issues with Giroud, who hadn't settled in the EPL as we liked. There were moments of magic but they were usually followed by the not so magical ones. Man United flourished while we faded away. There were the two goals he scored against us and then, the worst of them all, him lifting up the EPL trophy. We all wanted him to be proven wrong, we wished he didn't win. He had enjoyed in Manchester United what he couldn't enjoy in all his years at Arsenal. It sort of proved his point. He was at the better team and we were the sinking ship.


But oh how the tables have turned. Sir Alex Ferguson had retired at the end of the year and Moyes was brought in to replace him and their season has been a nightmare since then. They are having their worst EPL season ever. Meanwhile, Arsenal are having one of their best. Though their were the big losses to Man C and Liverpool, it doesn't take away from the season Arsenal has been having. We have been one of the best, most consistent teams in the EPL and that is why we held the top spot for a huge portion of it and the still currently rank at a healthy spot of 2nd. Arsenal's business in the transfer market, though lack luster until the final day, proved more ambitious than Man United as they put the money where their mouth is and cut a big, fat 42m cheque to buy one of the best playmakers in the world, Mesut Özil. Man United, on the other hand, had failed in signing numerous players from Cesc to Thiago to even Herrera  They eventually bought Fellaini but that left many pundits puzzled as to why.

Now we have seen the all the funny memes and pictures about RvP wanting back. The jokes, the teaser, the Arsene Wenger getting 29 miss calls from RvP. We had our fun, we poked at the Man United fans and we laughed along the way, but now as things are getting real, it isn't all jokes anymore.

There have been many, recent reports from reliable sources that a possible return is on the tables. BBC Sports have even gone as far as reporting on Saturday that RvP's agent reportedly met with Arsene Wenger and that a "dramatic return" is possible. Now that it is serious and could be real, we should raise the question, should we get back together with RvP?

Should we be rational about this or emotional? Lets try rational first. RvP is still a very lethal strikers. His goal scoring would be a lot much higher if it wasn't for his injury. But how long will this last. He is 30 and will be turning 31 this year. He isn't in his best years. They are slowly escaping him. Arsenal is a club with a strong youth policy. There is a reason why Sagna's contract extension is stalling. This clearly goes against their belief. Their is a whole, wide sea of eye-catching, young attackers who have yet to reach their peak. Diego Costa, Jackson Martinez, Balloteli (over-looking his personnel issues), Arsene take your pick. RvP, at his most, has two, maybe three good seasons left in him. From then on, expect the downhill tumble.

Then there is the even bigger issue, his injury. RvP, though a relative unknown when he arrived, was still a good striker for a huge portion of the time he was with us. Even from the beginning he showed potential, he was just unfortunate to be competing with Henry and Bergkamp for a sarting berth. However, he was always hindered by the same occurrence, time and time again, injuries. RvP had never seemed to complete one full season and the only time he did, was the last season he played for. Constant injuries and setbacks, absence from key fixtures which always hurt our team. The Barcelona CL match was a perfect example. Imagine had RvP been playing, instead of Bendtner, and he had gotten that late opportunity to put us through. Would he have missed that? I don't think so, but because he was injured, we were out. Even though it seemed to be in his past during his last seasons with us, especially the last one, it has returned to haunt him this season. Now we don't really know, maybe it is Moyes's training technique and regimes or maybe it is just his age getting to him, but it is a decisive factor, one that Arsene should stop and think about clearly before making any decisions.

Imagine if we were to resign him. It would seem an attractive idea. We would have RvP, leading our attack, as the great striker he is, and there would be Giroud, a good competition and an even better back-up option. Whether Podolski would be there to stay isn't clear, but there are some young academy guys who I believe could get some break throughs next season such as Akpom. If Arsenal were to have that attack, I'm sure he would be pleased with it and who wouldn't. There would be no need to get another, good striker. At the most, another safe, not so great option to warm the bench so we have the numbers. Another "Park" if you would like. But now imagine if RvP were to get injured. It isn't something unheard of nor far fetched. What would that mean for our games and possibly, our season. We would just end up with the same attack we have now. It would be the same hold RvP had on our attack all over again. He could either make our attack beautiful or left in pieces in his absence. We can't afford that happening, not again.


Now lets get personnel. RvP isn't a fan or club favorite. Though he still is close with many of the team staff and players alike, he is not liked by a substantial amount of them. This would be a situation so awkward for players and fans alike. They loved him, then they despised him from another team. What would him coming back do to the harmony? Would they still hate him even from the inside? I have a feeling some will. I mean, look at that death look.

And how would the fans react? Would they still boo him? I expect so. The wounds will not simply heal. His character is also one to think about. I can see him already walking into the dress room, expecting the same amount of respect as before, as if nothing had happened. It would put a strain on the players, their attitude and the team's harmony.

I have this bad feeling that Arsene is really pondering doing it. 15m for a class striker who already knows his way around the EPl and the club. Arsene has always shown affection for players who left and resigned them before. His feelings for RvP is still there. You could feel this in his eyes when he said "RvP is still an Arsenal player." They way they greeted one another in the first Man United encounter after his departure. It was one of great affection and affinity. I wouldn't be surprised if the thought came true come next summer window.

The RvP issue is one that strikes many too close to the heart. We have put him in the past and lets leave him there. He was clearly OK with forgetting about us so we should so no problem in doing the same. RvP should stay in our past and I am not only doing to save my Twitter identity. We have moved forward and for the sake of Arsenal, we should never look back.