Van Persie contract talks postponed – The right move by Arsenal?
In a decision that will be hugely welcomed by Robin Van Persie, discussions about his future at Arsenal look to be postponed until the summer. Whereas Arsenal fans in general want the potentially sticky situation resolved as soon as possible, the club’s board has chosen to wait until the end of the season.
Speaking to the Daily Star, chairman Peter Hill-Wood said, “He doesn’t want to talk about it at the moment and we are not troubling him… I think we will approach him near the end of the season… But we obviously hope that he will sign a new contract – I don’t see why he should not. I can’t believe he is unhappy with us.”
Van Persie is arguably the most in-form striker in Europe at the moment and has scored 11 goals in the same number of league games for the Gunners so far this season. It would have been no surprise had the contract negotiations been started already but delaying such talks is undoubtedly the best move the club could have made.
Had the talks turned frosty, with Van Persie perhaps expressing unwillingness to extend his contract, the remainder of the season would have been filled with doubt, and the pressure on the Dutchman to leave the club would have been greater than it has ever been before. However, now that such possibilities have been made improbable, the team spirit of Arsenal can remain with the continuing belief that he could still be an Arsenal player next season.
After all, Van Persie’s teammates have all stepped-up their level with the striker in the team and still have the desire to prove just how much the whole squad has progressed in order for him to want to stay at the Emirates. On top of this, “troubling” the player with offers of new contracts will surely only make the club come across as desperate – not a trait that a player of Van Persie’s calibre is used to being associated with.
Was the Arsenal board’s potentially risky decision to postpone the talks the correct one?
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he’s waiting to see what direction the club is going in terms of signings plus will we be competitive again when it comes to major honers. he is a gooner and he will sign, of that i have no doubt! i hope this international break doesn’t upset the momentem we were gathering as we need to keep it up.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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i believe he will sign his a gooner,bringing in more player will also boost his morale and form but dat may not b d reason for him delayin d signin he may just want to ease d pressure and enjoy his form.
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A – He could be using this as a last opportunity to get into a team he feels would win more trophies
B – He may be waiting until he see’s clear intentions made by Arsenal that they will compete at the highest level in football
C – The timing is wrong for him, as he has 2 years remaining on his contract.
Either way, all Arsenal fans must feel slightly twitchy with this news. The track record of Flamini, and Nasri holding out on contract talks were uncomfortable situations which ended sourly.
I do think he will sign, but it makes us all nervous, their is always doubt however small, until the ink has dried.
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I really hope that he signs a new one(who doesn’t?). But more than that, I really want him to leave as soon as the window opens if he’s not signing on. Another Cesc-Nasri saga isn’t really what we want.
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RVP wants to wait till the end of the season before discussing a new contract and the board is respecting his decision, which is a good thing. Hopefully great things will come to Arsenal this season and he will sign.
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No Its to the clubs advantage. Should he get injured before the discussion, he’ll be in a weaker negotiating position. With his current form, the club will be negotiating against the tides.
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the aroma of a rotting fish…or an agent
well we’ve all been here before and jusy because we love hime – why should this be any different…
if RVP continues in this wonderful vein of form and manages to play a large chunk of this seasons matches without the usual long term injury (and lets hope for the best on that front)
can you see AFC really being able to match the spending power of the lurking big-hitters
he will be the hottest striking property arround and like bee’s to a honeypot we will be unable to fend off their advances
i would guesstimate 200k a week will be the going rate
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RVP will be the next star going out.
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Arsenal future is becoming gray.
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I think it’s a good idea. take the pressure off and dont disrupt or detract from the teams current momentum and RVP’s form. He will want to see some movement in the summer transfer market as a sign the club shares his ambition. WIN anything (FA, Carling, Champions League, EPL) and pay the man and he will be happy gunner for 4 more years.
Arsenal for life!
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When Peter Hillwood says things like ‘I don’t see why he should not sign a new contract’ it show how clueless he is. The reasons why he wouldn’t sign a new contract are obvious to all but this clueless bafoon.
1. He could earn more money elsewhere
2. He wants to be part of an ambitious competitive team
The fact that PHW doesn’t recognize this, raises brings into question his suitability to have anything to do with running the club.
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even when he does leave, someone will step up. Everyone can be replaced. Sure no-one wants to see him go, but its no secret the board are only interested in making a profit, and after his recent performances, when the likes of city or barca turn his head with wages and trophies, He will go. Its a shame the people in the office are running the club like this, but what can you do. If you love the club you will support the players and manager no matter how far they fall.
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big fan of van persil but if he is not committed to the club then hopefully we can cash in on him and get a good return, i find players are on fire for a couple of season and then they still play well but cannot match previous exploits and there are alot of young players around waiting to go on an extraordinary run just like vp (hopefully we go out and get that player
great if he signs we will get on with it if he doesnt
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Who knows why he isn’t signing. But here are a couple of possible reasons:
1. He is in form like he’s never been. If he continues this way, he is in a very strong negotiating position (anywhere).
2. As everyone keeps mentioning – he want to see what AFCs intentions are regarding signing. (great players want to play alongside great players)
3. He wants to keep playing at the top level (champions league)
4. One year on a contract is better leverage than 18months. He’s keeping his cards close to himself. Who would show their hand early in a game? It makes no sense to reveal you negotiating strategy early, so he’s waiting to see how things develop.
Furthermore, what can AFC or Peter Hillwood do if RVP just does not want to start talks? You can’t make him! AFC have to play it cool, and wait. The last thing you want from a player of RVP’s calibre is to unsettle him when he’s in such good form for the team, and as team captain. If ACF did unsettle him, that would ensure that he leaves. How many players who have been unsettled, either move on, or never really return to their peak after resigning? The best move for AFC is to stay cool right now. (I am sure that behind the scenes they would be looking at strategies to keep him, and on what to do if he were to leave. Either way, hopefully the club will continue to move forward).
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