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On wanted list

Comment: 0 October 24th, 2011 by: admin
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IS Robin van Persie following Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to the exits?

Arsenal faithful’s anxiety over their captain’s wantaway motives are growing each day as another football giant expressed their intention to prise away the classy striker.

Real Madrid became the latest outfit to show interest on the Dutchman whose commitment has been put to question since he said he is not hurrying to have his contract renewed.

Despite Madrid’s emergence as a would-be destination, Van Persie allayed the fans’ fears by emphasising he is committed to stay with the Gunners.

He won’t leave the squad, he said. But for how long can he hold on to that vow?

IN GOOD MOOD

His assurance as of now keeps the nerves calm at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners appear to be in good spirits following their latest success in the Premier League with Van Persie taking up the cudgels.

The dependable forward was at his best last Sunday, saving the Gunners day by ramming in a quick goal and then providing the match clincher in their scrambling 2-1 victory over Sunderland that saw them climbing to 10th place in the standings, 12 points adrift pacesetters Manchester City.

A lacklustre start in the season greeted the Gunners as the value of Fabregas and Nasri was exposed. They tasted defeat in four of their opening seven league outings, including the embarrassing 8-2 mauling inflicted on them by holders Manchester United.

Deemed to have shown signs of disgust, the 28-year-old Van Persie stirred the hornet’s nest by saying he is not rushing things up to extend his contract expiring in 2013. Then the deluge of talks that he is planning to relocate came rushing in.

But the captain and main man of the Gunners brought the beam back on the faces of Arsenal fans by brushing aside the hearsays and stressed he is committed to give it his all for the team.

He also rebuffed talks that his London house is for sale because he is girding for his shift to Manchester City. Just a wild product of his detractors’ imagination, he insisted, as he lashed at them for probing too much on his domestic affairs. City were rumoured to be dangling a 30-million pound mega offer to him while he is said to be likewise on the wanted list of big-spending Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala.

MADRID OFFER

Now come Real Madrid. The Los Blancos’ boss Jose Mourinho said they are ready to tempt Arsene Wenger with a similar 30-million-pound offer when transfer window reopens for business in the New Year.

Van Persie’s decision to tell where his playing heart belongs at the moment is worthy of praise. He felt   the best way to erase doubts is to elucidate.

But that won’t just appease the Arsenal die-hards. The only way he can allay their fears is to sign a new contract with the Gunners.

The bosses at the Emirates know how worthy a player Van Persie is so we are expecting they would offer him an unprecedented contract to discourage other pursuers.

And it looks like the Arsenal execs are ready to streamline their stringent pay structure in their ambition not to lose another world-class player – specifically van Persie, who is expected to get an offer an equalled for someone nearing his 30s.

From his present pay of 70,000 pounds a week, Van Persie is expected to get a jacked-up salary of 90,000 pounds, the same deal dangled to Nasri who, however, thumbed it down in order to link up with City.

In doing so, Arsenal are continuously veering away from their customary treatment over contracts of players in their 30s. It started when Wenger okayed a three-year deal with Sebastian Schilacci who was 30 when he was acquired from Sevilla. Mikel Arteta is turning 30 in March and he has inked a four-year deal after a stint with Everton.

At this point, Arsenal have nothing to lose but everything to gain in their bid to keep Van Persie’s sights glued at the Emirates. The Dutchman, who is being likened to his great compatriot Marco van Basten as far as their style of play is concerned, is playing at a high  level for the club at present and clearly establishing himself as the key factor that binds the team together each passing day.

NO DOUBT

Wenger never doubted Van Persie’s motivation and leadership qualities despite previous issues surrounding them. For Wenger, his finest player is dedicated in every aspect to the team’s cause.

Van Persie is now on his eighth year with the Gunners and how committed he is can be gauged from the way he stays focused on every match they tackle and find means to fabricate the essential results.

But can he remain true to his words even if Arsenal finish this season again without a major trophy in their treasury vault?

Emirates fans are praying to high heavens that he won’t do a Fabregas or a Nasri but the decision rests mainly on Van Persie.

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