Didn't see that Brady interview but I suppose he may have some access to specific information.
Not sure why he's blabbing about it though.
I'd be surprised if it is only about the money for Robin.

flobaba wrote:

Timbo wrote:

Any Irish lads catch Liam Brady talking about RVP on Setanta the other day? Apparently he pretty bluntly said that RVP was simply waiting to see how much we're going to offer him financially. He knows we cant give him the same as Man City but he has a figure in mind and if we meet it he'll sign, regardless of CL, new signings, etc. Is this accurate/true?

And how would Liam Brady know this.?

Because he works for the club and sees Wenger daily?

It doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I think Robin's first choice has always been to stay at Arsenal as long as we pay him what he's worth. It doesn't mean it's all about the money. Quite the opposite really.

If what Brady says is true and money is the only issue, then I think we're pretty much fine as whatever RvP has in his mind, all they have to do is accpet it and pay it.

I don't think it's reasonable. Robin is not likely to let his negotiation stance known to anyone at the club, Wenger inclusive. Plus, if we come from the point of view that he loves the club and actually wants to stay with us, his major concern should be whether we show true title/ trophy challenging intent with our next batch of signings. What City is willing to pay him should only come into consideration after that, if at all.

Except he is happy with Podolski alone coming in, or is aware of similarly satisfactory signings in the works.

Can't see a reason for Brady to talk shit about it in public, and also one must bear in mind that if Van Persie has "a figure in mind," it doesn't necessarily mean he's communicated that figure to the club.

Entering this wage negotiation it makes sense to let the club make the first move, given he's in a position to demand sky-high numbers elsewhere. Van Persie's got nearly all the cards: the only one Arsenal holds is that he loves the club.

It makes perfect sense for him to say "make me your best offer" at this point.

ive just realised robins goals (27) is almost reaching ronaldos (31) Henry's (30) and drogba (29) level. Robin is as influential as ronaldo was to manure before we just need a rooney type signing to compliment robin and the title is ours.

VanPersie is not Henry or Ronaldo level unfortunately, close but no cigar.

well looking at the stats (which i meant) his influence is on their level. And thats an undeniable fact looking at his goal tally

He's on Henry and Ronaldo level in terms of technical ability and I think he's ahead in terms of creative ability.
In terms of speed, stamina, physique and a certain explosive forceful quality in getting past players he's behind both.
For that, and because he's not had enough games throughout his years here, he probably won't be mentioned in their bracket.
That's a great shame because I think he's genius.

Good finisher, way behind in every other way.

Aye, people forget how much Henry created. Did bugger all outside the final third, controlled every aspect of the game within it.

Robin is the best centreforward I've seen in Premier League since Henry though.

I don't forget how much Henry created and I think it's wide of the mark to say that Robin is way behind Ronaldo and Henry in every other way.

On the other hand, Ronaldo and Henry played in the two best English teams of the last decade.

van Persie's managed to post similar figures while playing with an inconsistent bunch. Got to count for something.

Not really, the team is geared for him to score. Old and busted Henry came back and matched his output for that exact reason.

VanPersie, as an individual football player, is not on the level of Henry and Ronaldo who are probably the best two players to ever play in England. No shame in that and no need to deny it.

I know, just playing da. Henry's the best and most consistent player this league has seen. Even on current form, van Persie will have to keep this up for another three-four years to compare favourably.

When Robin has another two or three seasons like this one it might carry more merit to compare them stats wise but he'd still be behind in terms of individual ability. I love Robin and think he's an outstanding footballer but those two are two of the greatest players who have emerged for the past few decades.

General Mirth wrote:

I know, just playing da. Henry's the best and most consistent player this league has seen. Even on current form, van Persie will have to keep this up for another three-four years to compare favourably.

Which was the point I attempted and obviously failed to make
Time is not on Robin's side and he's not done this for long enough to convince anyone of his greatness.

I think the distinction between 'peaks' and general quality is worth making here. Henry is undoubtedly a better footballer than Van Persie IMO. Ronaldo too. Those two go down as better players. But I think Van Persie's peak beats Henry's peak. Henry had better players to work with whereas, at many times in the past 18 months, it has been Van Persie who has had to carry the team under difficult circumstances. As a goalscorer he has been truly phenomenal in 2011 (and the start of this year). Henry's peak was probably this time 8 years ago but I think Van Persie - for about 4/5 months this season - reached a level that perhaps even Henry didn't.

Make no mistake, we might be geared up to assist Van Persie well (and Theo and others do give him chances...he doesn't create everything out of thin air like he did against Everton) but we would be absolutely nowhere near 3rd without a player even half as good as Van Persie. Looking at the overall impact - as a player and as a captain, I think his peak has been higher. But, as others have said, Henry was far more consistent over 5 years and that makes him a greater player overall.

You guys are hyping VanPersie too much.

And you're too harsh on him
The truth's somewhere in between.

Robin's nowhere near Henry at his peak regardless of his scoring record. I still rate even Bergkamp higher than I do Robin though Dennis never came close to the first two in terms of scoring. Those guys were like watching magicians perform before your very eyes. Compared to them, Robin is.. human.

Captain wrote:

No, the truth is that he is not nearly as good as Henry or Ronaldo. Dear, oh dear...

The truth is that the time for him to prove that he is (or could have been) has passed given that what should have been his peak years were blighted by injury.
He's at the age and stage in his career where there just isn't enough time to match their achievements.

I'm not a believer in needing years of consistency to stake that claim. He is just a poorer footballer.

Maybe, as Arsenal fans, we take it for granted but Henry is/was truly that good. Ronaldo would be making a play for best footballer of all time if it weren't for the little Argie at Barca.

The injury years have put a huge dent on RvP stature in term of the all-time greats, issue is in the modern game power & pace are hugely important. 2 of Robins weaker points. Technique, passing, movement (this season) I’d say he up there with them ability wise but overall they have definitely achieved a higher level than he has. Come back in 4 years if Robin is still playing the way he is now (unlikely), maybe they can be comparable.

Captain - Consistency is a factor in the sense that a player will improve every year if he is healthy and on top of his game, do you think TH14 would have reached the level he was at if he had been injured half the time he was here?

It's irrelevant how Henry came to be better, he was just better.

VanPersie's passing is average, he is slow to execute, his decision making is average and he is weak physically and slow across the ground. First touch and finishing is excellent, movement is above average but not exceptional. He has personality on the pitch and doesn't hide but that's fairly standard amongst the better players.

I am genuinely struggling to see how anyone could even attempt to compare the two, longevity or not.

Anyway, I don't want to get bogged down in this. VanPersie is a very good player and we should enjoy him while we can.

Completely agree with Capi regarding the Henry comparisons. Not even close.

RVP is the best striker in the league right now

Thierry Henry is the greatest striker this league has ever seen and the best striker we have ever had.

Thierry is the best player in PL history. Ronaldo would probably have got that call had he stayed a bit longer.

I don't like picking out an overall best player because defenders and midfielders usually get under-appreciated and everyone plums for a striker

Best Striker- Henry
Best Midfielder-Scholes
Best Defender-Sol Campbell
Goalie-Seaman

flobaba wrote:

Robin's nowhere near Henry at his peak regardless of his scoring record. I still rate even Bergkamp higher than I do Robin though Dennis never came close to the first two in terms of scoring. Those guys were like watching magicians perform before your very eyes. Compared to them, Robin is.. human.

Van Persie is every bit a magician as Bergkamp was and on par technically.

Lol. Not true.

Captain wrote:

It's irrelevant how Henry came to be better, he was just better.

VanPersie's passing is average, he is slow to execute, his decision making is average and he is weak physically and slow across the ground. First touch and finishing is excellent, movement is above average but not exceptional. He has personality on the pitch and doesn't hide but that's fairly standard amongst the better players.

I am genuinely struggling to see how anyone could even attempt to compare the two, longevity or not.

Henry wouldnt have been the player he was in his prime if he was injured most of the time so ofcourse its relevant. That's a dis-service to the amount of time & effort these guys put in to making themselves who they are... There's countless stories from players saying how hard Dennis & Henry used to train & how dedicated they were which not doubt contributed to the level they reached..

He is not as good as Henry or Ronaldo but to say he has average passing & decision making is waaaaay overboard.

On a separate note: some Muppet on talksport says Robin was unprofessional & out of order for chipping the wolves keeper

It's irrelevent to the discussion in hand. Someone just said that VanPersie's peak is higher than Henry's FFS...

(and I respect Patter's opinion because he seems a level-headed bloke even if we disagree)

What i initially wrote and has been misconstrued was that van persie will soon (if he scores a couple more this season) be as influential in a premer league season as henry and ronaldo who scored 30 and 31 goals in a premier league season, i wasnt comparing the players but in terms of importance to the team in goal stats he is reaching their "level" this season. Ronaldo practically won them the title that year, same with drogba when he hit 29 yet we have "that" goalscorer but havent won it. If we add someone like a rooney or anelka to come partner robin we will most likely win the league.

However you say it not many, if any can, score 30 goals or more in a premier league season, if van persie reaches that level he is up there. Obviously he has to do it for a couple more seasons to be regarded on henry greatness.

flobaba wrote:

Lol. Not true.

That is Wenger's opinion not just mine. But then again your the same guy who said Chamakh was a better striker so i don't hold your opinion very highly.

Hey, what do you know? There's some some videos with emotional soundtracks for Bergkamp as well.

Link:

Bergkamp is pretty much the best technician the game has ever seen. VanPersie is very good but not at that level.

YounGunner wrote:

flobaba wrote:

Lol. Not true.

That is Wenger's opinion not just mine. But then again your the same guy who said Chamakh was a better striker so i don't hold your opinion very highly.

Ooh, low blow.. I was wrong of course - not for the first time, and not for the last time probably.

But guess who doesn't give a rat's ass what you think about their opinion?