because Dan Smith tore his ankle and he never recovered ?

You'd think that RVP would know by now if he definitely wants to leave. Surely he would have just said so at that meeting they had the other day? Most sources, including The Sun who RVP writes for, have said that both parties were talking and negotiating this week. That seems like a good sign to me, because if he knew for sure that he wanted to leave why would he bother discussing anything?

He ran his last contract signing down like this too, but nobody really cared at the time.

Timbo wrote:

You'd think that RVP would know by now if he definitely wants to leave. Surely he would have just said so at that meeting they had the other day? Most sources, including The Sun who RVP writes for, have said that both parties were talking and negotiating this week. That seems like a good sign to me, because if he knew for sure that he wanted to leave why would he bother discussing anything?

I feel like that too. But..

asajoseph wrote:

You'll catch me Paul, I know it!

I'm pretty sure he's gone, anyway, but I'd be delighted to be wrong. But it's the wrong thread.

On Twitter, Asa commented on Arsenal imposing a media ban on van Persie by saying it sounded like sour grapes. I don't neccessarily agree with that, but it does seem very reminiscent of last summer when Fabregas was banned from speaking to the media for about 2 months ahead of his Barcelona move.

Obviously, the scenarios aren't identical, but not sure what Arsenal to gain by imposing this ban. It's not's going to stop any media chatter.

He's a grown up, and our captain - what on earth could we be so scared he might say, if not that he wants to leave and weaken our bargaining position? To issue a media ban is fine and all, just feels like it's not particularly mature. If it's even true, of course.

It's one of the reasons I think he's definitely off - footballers have scarcely got less free time on their hands than benefit cheats and restaurant critics, and yet they can't find the time to negotiate a contract? It's a wonder any of us stay employed at all, if that were the case. He's had all season to consider this, and he'll have gone into whatever meeting was had yesterday having a good idea in his head whether he wanted to stay or go. If it's about money, he'll leave, if it's about signing players he'll leave - we can't compete with City and won't compete with Juve on either front. He's had long enough to consider how much Arsenal means to him, and personally, I think that if he'd resolved to stay at Arsenal there's no reason at all he shouldn't have been ready to put pen-to-paper at 09:00 this Monday morning.

Timbo wrote:

You'd think that RVP would know by now if he definitely wants to leave. Surely he would have just said so at that meeting they had the other day? Most sources, including The Sun who RVP writes for, have said that both parties were talking and negotiating this week. That seems like a good sign to me, because if he knew for sure that he wanted to leave why would he bother discussing anything?

For all we know the club and van Persie have reached an agreement but won't say anything until Robin puts pen to paper. Presumably it takes time to draft a contract which meets the approval of the board, his agent and the player himself. Arsenal know exactly what's going on just like they did with Fabregas.

Unfortunately Fabregas could not be pimped out to the rest of Europe and Barcelona put in a pathetic offer. So we couldn't really sell him without at least trying to get a higher fee which is why the negotiations were protracted. This time it should be different, not only will Man City be generous with their money, we can tout him to half a dozen other clubs.

Plus given that we've already signed Podolski, I think we've at least identified targets early on. Either way the speculation is more annoying that the prospect of losing the player himself.

This sounds like nasri all over again, oh well fuck it, unless we can match the cash injection of the successful pl clubs we can expect to see van Persie wearing the city shirt next season, or juventus if he wants to show some respect

He's in charge of football development at City. I don't care what he says or where he says it. He's got no right to talk about what's best for our players.

Exactly, he is being a cunt, using his arsenal links to take our players and acting like everythings alright, and why is Vieira not working for arsenal, every French player would come in an instant

RVP has a media ban? Where's that story coming from?

Anyway, pretty sure him or his agent would have briefed the press (or The Sun at least) if he'd told wenger and Gazidis that he has definitely made up his mind to leave and told them at the meeting they've just had. All the papers seem to be running with the story that talks are ongoing.

Not even going to bother reading Vieira's comments, I've long lost my respect and regard for him. He's a mercenary, simple.

But, truth is, we can't expect Robin to stay based solely on a sense of loyalty. He'll look after himself and his career first and foremost. And If City or any of the big boys are in for him, then I'd expect that he's gone.

@[deleted]: he might have had all season to consider, but we've only qualified for the CL on the last day of the season, and taking part in it is something van Persie probably looks as essential (though competing for it would be better !).

For sure, and that's fine - hence my last sentence. Can't think of any good reason that this has been delayed up until this point - and certainly not until after the Euros.

Bring in winning players, get rid of the dead wood, pay RVP a little more, and he'll stay...
Otherwise, he's gone...
I know, I sound like a parrot...

Vieira was a brilliant player and a brilliant captain and he should always been remembered as such.

He was never loyal or a real Arsenal man though, and thats ok he didn't have to be. Since he's joined City though he's been an awful mouth piece.

My instinct is that he isn't convinced that staying is the right decision for him, but I'm also thinking that the clubs who have so far expressed interest don't interest him, he probably has specific clubs in mind.

I'd guess that signing Podolski isn't enough to persuade him that next season will be any more fruitful than this season.
Just like us he probably does not trust that the other summer signings will show the kind of ambition necessary to seriously improve our chances of making ground on City and United.

He's biding his time, I don't like that he is but it's hard to blame him given what happened last summer.

He has more of a chance of building a football legacy here than moving elsewhere with his age and injury record.

Henry doesn't have any legacy at Barca. Cesc isnt considered anything to special at barca yet but hes young. Juve and Inter fans don't have special feelings for Vieira. Hleb and flamini have trophy's but they wont be remembered.
He has the opportunity to stay and be remembered as someone really special here.

Lagos wrote:

clutching @ straws there. there is no legacy without trophies, all he'll be remembered for is the captain during the barren era!

Liam Brady will be gutted to hear that.

Think it's bullshit personally. Someone like Le Tissier will always be remembered by Southampton but Alexander Hleb is barely a footnote in Barca's history despite being a part of their team during their most successful era.

Besides, Robin wouldn't have won the three individual trophies he raked home this season if it wasn't for Wenger and Arsenal. No other top club would've put up with his constant injuries for so long without replacing him. He's got it far better here than he'll have anywhere else. If he goes to City or perhaps Barcelona he'll win a few trophies but he'll never end up a club legend. His reputation won't rank nearly as high in history when everything's accounted for and people realise that he had exactly one great season in London.

If he stays at Arsenal on the other hand his picture will decorate the stadium wall eventually, along with the other guys. He'll be loved forever and people will remember his name forty years from now. That type of lecacy is much more rare than picking up a couple of pots.