OT: Van Persie to Manchester United

Submitted by Wettin 3's on

I want to know what MGoreader's opinions are on this topic. Personally I am an Arsenal fan and it's sad to see him to go, but it was the best decision in regards to team chemistry. I wish we sent him outside of the English Premier League, but now sadly for him he has to fight for playing time with rooney, hernandez, welbeck, kagawa and young at Manchester United.

State Street

August 15th, 2012 at 3:26 PM ^

Rich get richer.  It will be interesting to see what they do with Chicarito as he now looks to be third on the totem pole.  El Tri knows he needs minutes to carry the load for them with Word Cup Qualifiers coming up.

This could be marginally beneficial for the USA.

spavsner

August 15th, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^

I say good riddance.  His "ambition" amounted to £220k/week in wages and a dogfight just to get on the pitch.  Of course it's frustrating to sell our best player to a big rival, but we were left without alternative options.

FGB

August 15th, 2012 at 3:39 PM ^

Obviously they would prefer not to sell, but it's the right time to sell, they tried to get him to stay and to prove the team was getting better (which it is), and he still made it clear he wanted to go.  So good for them to get what they could for him (23M pounds still seems low to me though). 

Also, though it seems a long time ago, except for the last year and a half RVP was basically Andrew Bynum.  He was an elite talent who couldn't stay healthy for more than a few months at a time.  He was always as good as he has been in the last 18 months, he just could never stay on the field to actually score 30 goals in a season.

Second year in a row Arsenal need another captain.  I guess give it to Song until he leaves next year.  It'll just rotate on an annual basis as people get dissatisfied and leave.  Theo the next year, Wilshere the next...

turtleboy

August 15th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^

At least he didn't go to Barca. They've signed something like 12 Arsenal players since Wenger took over and their trying to buy Alex Song now. While most of their famous departures have been due to Arsenal being more spendthrift than some of their competitors, I hate that Barca keeps winning at Arsenals expense. While the whole Fabregas saga was so unbelievably tacky, RVPs departure was much quieter.

turbo cool

August 15th, 2012 at 3:41 PM ^

As a lifelong United fan, I'm pumped to see this. Not only because RVP is a great player, but also because we haven't made this type of quality (and proven) purchase in years. I do feel for Arsenal b/c they've been selling all of their best players in recent years.

Back to United. Having Welbeck and RVP up front w/ Rooney playing just below in a more creative attacking role will certainly make us a more dynamic team since it sort of solves our midfield woes and we won't have to rely on the often injured Anderson and aging Scholes. And that should allow free up someone like Carrick or Jones to take on their more natural defensive responsibilities. Anyway, I like this.

Now, if only we can get the Glazer's out of there...

turbo cool

August 15th, 2012 at 4:01 PM ^

It certainly isn't good news for Hernandez and definitely not for Berbatov (see ya!). But, even if RVP wasn't on the squad, Hernandez would still be the 3rd option at best. It seems like he's one of those rare players whose strength is coming off the bench and providing new life to the game. Anyway, you're dead on about RVP. Whereas Welbeck is definitely a natural striker, RVP and Rooney can basically rotate fluidly throughout the game wherever they want.

Blue in Yarmouth

August 16th, 2012 at 8:40 AM ^

Like you said, it has been a long time since ManU made a transaction like this and I couldn't be more excited. As for Hernedez, I have never been thrilled with his play or abilities. The only thing I see from him is the ability to be in the right place at the right time (which is a nice quality to have) but very few of his goals (if any) have much to do with him being talented. He just constantly finds himself with a gaping net staring him in the face.

Anyway, if both he and Berb leave I wouldn't be too disappointed, though I would like to see them keep Nani who there seem to be constant rumours around.

turbo cool

August 15th, 2012 at 4:05 PM ^

IMO, formations are overrated in soccer. Their main purpose is to give the fans an idea of where the players start off on the field when the whistle blows. In the modern game, the top players are basically capable of playing wherever. For instance, though it was once unusual to see attacking fullbacks like a Roberto Carlos, it is now basically required. Centerbacks are now being asked to begin the attack. Guys on the wing aren't relegated to that wing; they're instead expected to come inside, rotate w/ the other wing, etc.

And, I wouldn't worry about Kagawa. It's his 1st season in the Prem and he's still young. Unless he blows everyone away, nobody is really expecting him to start, or even play, every game.

turtleboy

August 15th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^

Anymore that's definitely true. Nowadays no back line is really a 4 anyways, because wingbacks play like wing forwards, and even a lot of centerbacks get forward lately. A few teams with a true holding midfielder like Makelele was, or Ghokan Inler is, have players stay true to formation.

Volverine

August 15th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^

RVP can piss off. He'll break his leg within the first month and he won't play well alongside Rooney. I'm happy Arsenal got some money for him before he left for free next summer.

Genzilla

August 15th, 2012 at 3:48 PM ^

Gooner here.  This sucks.  Losing Cesc to Barca was one thing as thats the club he grew up with.  Losing guys like Clichy, Nasri, and now RVP is just getting old.  I'm tired of seeing our best talent leave.  



Oh well, this is what you get when your team tries to not lose money every year.  Here's to hoping that Cazorla, Giroud, and Podolski all outperform expectations and that Wilshere plays more that 15 EPL matches.

MGoPietrowski

August 15th, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^

Another Gooner here,

If you would have told me back in May, that we'd lose RVP, I would have been upset. Had you told me that we'd sign Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla, I would have said, "Who's RVP?"

We'll be fine. Even losing our top striker to a rival, we'll make the champions league again, and maybe make a run at it this year. Look at Chelsea last year. 

I am stoked for Saturday morning.

Volverine

August 15th, 2012 at 3:54 PM ^

On the topic, I am helping bring back an Arsenal America group to Southeast Michigan. We're looking at having Charley's in Ann Arbor as our public viewing bar, but those details are not set yet.

If there is interest in joining, please email the group at SMGooners [at] gmail [dot] com. SMGooners is also our Twitter hashtag, and you can join the facebook group by searching for Southeast Michigan Arsenal America--it's a closed group so I or the other co-founder will have to add you when you request to join.

Hope to see all my fellow Gooners at our upcoming events! 

ken725

August 15th, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^

Meh.  Aresenal and Man U are my least favorite EPL teams so hearing about them is like hearing about Sparty and Ohio.  I guess good for Man U for getting this done.

I'm just sad to see Kagawa go to Man U because if they don't change their formation his talents are going to be wasted.

Arsenal Fan

August 15th, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^

As a fellow Gooner, I am upset about this...but can't say I didn't see it coming.  I agree that it sucks we have to play him and I wish we could have sold him to Juventus and not inside the EPL.  At least we were more pro-active this year than in years past, but it still sucks to lose arguably the top goal scorer in the EPL to a rival.  Hopefully we can make another move or two, not lose Song, and march towards the Chamions League....I hope.  

gmoney41

August 15th, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^

I am a Man City fan, and I know this is gonna hurt  Arsenal a lot.  Man U will be tough to beat with the addition of RVP.  If he stays healthy, he is one of the best strikers out there.  Personally, I am happy Man City wasn't really an option for RVP.  I am happy with Aguero, Tevez, Ballotelli and Dzeko.  They are more than capable of repeating and showing well in the Champions League.  Great pick up for Man U though.

gopoohgo

August 15th, 2012 at 4:17 PM ^

This is very exciting for United.

Rooney last year excelled being given free range behind the strikers, having him next to Kagawa, and whoever is in form between Nani/Valencia/Young on the wings with Walbeck and RvP up front makes for a potent front 6.

Personally, I'm more excited for Vidic returning, hopefully in form.  If Vidic was halfway healthy, United would have had championship #20 on the mantel. 

swan flu

August 15th, 2012 at 5:12 PM ^

Just 1 year ago the verdict was out on RVP.  He had an abysmal World Cup (even though the team made it to the finale).

 

Arsenal made out like bandits in this deal.  If they apply that 24 million to purchasing either Robert Lewandowski or Fernando Llorente, then Arsenal will have a shot at the title this year.

GoBlueBrooklyn

August 15th, 2012 at 5:18 PM ^

I am gutted that Arsenal would sell him to United. £24 million talks, but how many trophy-free season should their supporters have to endure? RVP put them in a bad spot and they did well to get that money for him, but it stinks he has gone to United. 

Zvornik Bosna

August 15th, 2012 at 5:26 PM ^

I was really hoping to see a RVP for Dzeko plus cash swap with Man City. That would have been the best move for both teams. Arsenal stockpiling cash means nothing as they are never ones to spend on a big player because of their strict wage ceiling. I don't think this move will push Man U over Man City as the favorite in the BPL but it will certainly make the fan base happy. 

turtleboy

August 15th, 2012 at 6:31 PM ^

Im thinking the need another playmaker and striker, especially with the injuries/departures they've had in midfield. Podolski and Cazorla look to have locked down the wings, and Giroud is a great striker, but losing Fabregas and Nasri and soon Arshavin, plus the Benayoun loan ending and Wilshere oft injured they need another body in the middle, and (now) a second viable option up front. Dempsey could solve just about all of those issues and still have about 10m left over...