Claudius wrote:

van Persie is such a child.
That face! I'd have punched him smack in the nose. But you know what, if I was Robin on that night, I'd have probably done the same thing.

Of course it's childish, we're all grown up kids thats why we waste our time looking at 22 overpaid brats chasing a ball around.
Krul was time wasting the whole game and was rightly punished for it, if you don't enjoy gloating over a defeated enemy in that context, well I don't think competitive sports are for you.
Its exactly the reaction I want from my team, nothing infuriates me more than watching our players trodding off joking and laughing with their arms around the shoulders of the opposition- especially when we've been beaten, RvP is our best capi since Vieira.

Big, did you actually manage to get the purple off Robin's face, or I just got used to it?

Yeah I photoshopped it so he looks less like an oompa loompa.

Daily Express reporting that after Real Madrid lost out on Neymar they are prepared to fork out £25 mill for RVP.

Personally, I think there's much more chance he'd leave for Madrid over Man City, although i'm still pretty confident he'll extend his contract with us.

Wenger on Robin van Persie's future…

"We have had no indications yet and Champions League football is not guaranteed. We can manage it if we keep our performances at this level. Considering Van Persie, we have spoken many times about it and there is not much more to add."

Did he just say that RvP would basically sign only if the CL football is guaranteed? Not anything new I suppose but still.

Mourinho has always coveted RVP.

Kaka + Higuain/Benzema and he can have him

Clrnc wrote:

Kaka + Higuain/Benzema and he can have him

Na. I would only swap Robin for Messi or Ronaldo. Van Persie is more than a striker he's the leader of the team and i don't think we need to disrupt the dressing room with a primadona like Benzema.

Kaka is a realistic signing on his own if we really wanted to sign him.

The thing is that if we don't sort RvP's contract situation out rather sooner than later, we might as well get into a situation when RvP goes at the end of the contract and we'll get fuck all for him so to get any of Kaka, Higuain or Benzema as a part of the deal wouldn't be too bad. Letting him go for free is something I'm quite sure we won't allow to happen, just as we didn't in the case of Nasri. We're talking about 25mils here and that, considering our policy when it comes to money, is a lot of money to let go.

That said, he really is that special but I'd rather have a new striker (a good one for that money) who can score half of the goals RvP did than nothing and being relied upon the likes of Chamakh, Park, Bendtner or who we are going to end up with.

outrageous.

He will.

my fears are allayed, i think he'll stay, too (provided we finish 3rd and announce the podolski deal early).

velociraptor arms!

nah, they are more T - Rex arms.

yuv wrote:

outrageous.

Really? About as pointless as a ljungberg step over for me.

Any trick I can do myself doesn´t count in my mind. That was nothing.

I think it's complete pointlessness was the point Captain.

Captain, I'm not sure I believe anymore that Robin is your favourite Arsenal player since Henry

Persie_Official: Had a very special diner tonight with THE Arsenal Legend Tony Adams! What a great man! Thanks TA!!!

I really think Van Persie understands 'The Arsenal'. It's clear he is taking this captaincy very seriously and his actions don't suggest he is a man that has one eye on a summer transfer. By all accounts his family have made an extra effort this season to bond with the other Arsenal players and organise events etc.. Van Persie brought back the team salute to all four corners before kick off. I like that Henry was here on a loan spell and got the time to spend some time with the players. I like that Ray Parlour seems to be good mates with Aaron Ramsey (and, as it happens, I think Aaron could become a very similar player to Parlour). Having proper Arsenal men, nay, legends, around the squad helps to keep the youngsters in touch with the history of the club. After seeing the way Henry was treated and the clear bond that Thierry has with the fans, Van Persie must surely want some of that.

Article that was published last year. http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/van-persie-wants-adams-back-arsenal-2591841

"It is a massive honour that there are people in England who think I am doing a good job as captain and, for that reason, have made some comparisons with Tony."

“I consider Tony Adams as the best captain Arsenal have ever had. He played for Arsenal his entire career and is an absolute legend here. I have met him a number of times, but most of what I know about him is through the real Arsenal people, such as our kit men Paul and Vic Akers and our physio Colin Lewin.

“They have told me so many stories about his leadership – and they know. They were there in the dressing room at the time.

“Tony also had this amazing quality to win matches by his strong mentality.

“He would carry the team and be an inspiration to every player."

Prior to that, I remember Tony Adams saying he texts RVP advice on captaincy.

Well lets hope he listens more to Adams than he does to Wenger as regards what a captain is.

Van Persie and Vermaelen will lead us to trophies

no homo T_T .... actually a little homo :dulaoohtobe:

50 views?

Be honest: you made that, didn't you?

From The Daily Telegraph. (That's an interview worth reading between Alan Smith and Tony Adams from last December btw)

“I’ve been texting RVP,” said Adams. “I think he’s a nice guy and was always captaincy material but, before, he just didn’t have enough support. It was much easier for me in my time. I had six or seven lieutenants around me, people who could also take charge.

“So that was something I said to him – get some players around you to back you up. You can’t do it alone. And to be fair, I think Per [Mertesacker] has been a big help. He’s been a good ally in the dressing room from what I hear. Before, there was conflict but now there seems to be a lot more togetherness.”

Adams mentions Mertesacker, I'm sure he's one of the senior voices in the dressing room, but I also think Robin has his "lieutenants" in Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Rosicky, maybe even one or two others - and I think each of those players have really stepped up and led the team in the last 6 weeks or so. There's a proper spine to the team again, they'd go to war for each other. It's great to see. And Vermaelen's definitely his right hand man.

Btw - Tony has left Gabala FC in Azerbaijan, is back in England and is unemployed - could we see him come in as Arsene's assistant this summer in place of the retiring Pat Rice? One legend replacing another.

Robin certainly wants it:

I try to do it my way. I do it differently, but every day I try to make sure, as a captain, that we are a really united bunch of players. If Tony Adams could ever return here at Arsenal in some capacity, I would be the first person to support him. I think it’s crucial to have somebody like him, with all his experience, on our staff.

“I am a big fan of his and I know that the boys would also appreciate his presence. The first thing players do is look at somebody’s track record.

“Also, with Tony as a player you can talk about football, about life and private things, as he has overcome some hurdles in that way. To me, he is the prime example of a born winner.”

Wouldn't do any harm when it comes to signing his new contract either.

Have no particular reason for this, but i dont just see it with Rosicky, Sagna, and even Arteta. True, they are all good, solid pros, but It's amazing how many beta (or not exactly alpha) males we seem to have in the squad. From that report, and others earlier in the season, it looks to be just Per and Robin - and I wouldn't really have guessed it with Per. Vermaelen has the on pitch attitude, but I don't recall reading any articles about his leadership/ personality attributes off of it.

Perhaps in a bid to build an ego-free squad, we've been sacrificing leadership qualities.

I think Arteta has been a big leader in the squad this season.

I don't see how you can look at what Sagna, Arteta and Rosciky have done on the pitch since the Spurs game - their drive, their passion, their work rate - and not think they've stepped up and really led this team. Along with a few others.

I'm telling you, the difference maker has been Park.

Park is not the most vocal, but he leads by example.

Ricky1985 wrote:

I don't see how you can look at what Sagna, Arteta and Rosciky have done on the pitch since the Spurs game - their drive, their passion, their work rate - and not think they've stepped up and really led this team. Along with a few others.

I think so too. It's not always chest thumping or squaring up to the ref, despite what Terry and Rooney will have you believe.

In that sense, Arteta's been huge. His influence has been talked about from various outlets since October.

There are a few others who could lead though, Koscielny and, in particular, Song I feel could do more.

Tim TJ Mackey wrote:

Park is not the most vocal, but he leads by example.

Sorts out the bibs and cones like a champ. Gives Pat more time to work with the defence.

John Carter wrote:

It's not just leaders we've added but more willing youngsters who look up to seniors. Jenks and chambo in particular

And youngsters with a bit of passion too. When things don't go Bendtner or Denilsons way they give up. When things don't go Ramsey, Jenks or Chambos way they work twice as hard to try and make up for it.

Apparently, according to Matt Scott, Park and Bendtner are staying next season.

So a bit less pressure to keep Robin.

Not so bothered about Park, but I hope to fuck Bendy goes.