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Arsenal AGM and Van Persie contract talks

By jtom on 28 October 2011 @ 6:56

Arsenal’s annual general meeting was held on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger gave a powerful speech, while Stan Kroenke’s comments supplied supporters with little insight. Shareholders were clearly frustrated with chairman Peter Hill-Wood. Reports are saying that the Gunners have opened up contract negotiations with Robin van Persie.

Wenger’s speech at the meeting was clearly from his heart. He stood up for the values of our club and the class with which the club operates (from Daily Mirror):

“I believe that the values we defend are highly defendable because we want to do things with class. We want of course to be very ambitious. We want to be very brave. I believe that this club has always been very brave in its decisions. The courage is a quality I admire because it is a highly needed quality in the modern world.”

Arsene believes that the fans need to get behind the team, and together Arsenal can achieve success. Wenger said that he believes that his squad have the right attitude and are ready to fight. He said this near the end of his speech (from Daily Mirror):

“And if I just would like to achieve one thing today it is: trust us, this team has qualities, this team will fight.”   Click to read the full transcript of Wenger’s speech at the AGM.   Stan Kroenke took a few minutes to introduce himself to the shareholders and supporters. The American majority shareholder has been quiet since his takeover last season. He was interested in several [...]

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28 October 2011 @ 6:56 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Robin van Persie | Leave a comment

Van Persie’s Arsenal future in doubt

By jtom on 26 September 2011 @ 7:00

Robin van Persie said he does not want to negotiate a new contract with Arsenal at this time. Arsene Wenger compared the Dutchman to Lionel Messi and said that he does not think that Van Persie will leave the Emirates.

The Dutchman’s contract at Arsenal runs until the end of next season, and the rumours are starting already.

Van Persie said (from The Guardian): “I still have almost two years left, so for the moment that’s fine. I’m happy with my contract. I can’t look into the future. I can’t see us talking now because we are so busy. Maybe we will leave it until the end of next season”

Manchester City are rumoured to be interested in RvP, but Arsene Wenger said he does not expect the Dutch striker to go (from The Guardian): “It’s true that we had a meeting during the summer. It is understandable that he would want that when you lose players such as Fabregas and Nasri. I don’t think we will lose him.”

Wenger also said that no one would be leaving Arsenal shortly before Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas did just that. City are clearly trying to weaken our squad while strengthening their team. Reports say that Manchester City would have to pay £ 30 million for Van Persie. That is a low value considering the price paid for flops like Fernando Torres (£50m) and Andy Carroll (£35m).

People will point to his injury-riddled past, but I would rather have Van Persie for [...]

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26 September 2011 @ 7:00 | Tags: , , , | Category: Robin van Persie, Transfer News | 2 comments

Arsenal 3-0 Bolton: Van Persie double dooms Bolton

By jtom on 25 September 2011 @ 7:00

Robin van Persie scored two goals against Bolton, including his 100th for Arsenal. The Gunners came out firing in the second half, and dominated the match after Bolton centre-back David Wheater was shown a straight red card.

Arsenal were tentative in the first half, but the Dutchman hit the net less that a minute into the second period. Van Persie took the pass from Aaron Ramsey and blasted the shot near-post. Jaaskelanien was caught standing straight up, and the low, powerful strike was too much for the keeper.

Arsene Wenger needed his team to score another goal against the 10-man Wanderers to close the match out. Van Persie completed his century of Gunner goals in the 71st minute. Theo Walcott broke free down the wing and sent a low cross towards the Dutchman. RvP finished it off with a tap from the outside of his foot.

Surprisingly, it was Alex Song who scored Arsenal’s third. He curled the ball into the upper corner in the 89th minute. Song’s strike was the best goal of the day, but it will be Robin who takes the praise for the win.

David Wheater was sent off with a straight red in the 55th minute. Aaron Ramsey played a perfect through ball to Theo Walcott. Theo had too much pace for Wheater, and the Bolton center-half pulled him to the ground. It was a clear break, so Wheater had to go.

Walcott was terrific. He burned the Wanderers’ back four throughout the match, but especially after Bolton [...]

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25 September 2011 @ 7:00 | Tags: , , , | Category: Match Report, Premier League, Robin van Persie | 2 comments

Wenger blasts players; Van Persie “frustrated”; New coach?

By jtom on 20 September 2011 @ 7:00

Arsene Wenger criticised his players  for Arsenal’s troubles at the back. Robin van Persie is “frustrated” with at the Gunners inability to respond to poor performances. Rumours are swirling over a possible new defensive coach to sort out the problems.

Wenger said that his squad’s terrible defending this season is due to “a lack of concentration, a lack of communication, a lack of co-ordination and individual urgency.” (from The Sun)

What Wenger said was obvious to the rest of the world, but it is good to finally hear it from him. Arsene usually never criticises his players in public like this. He is famous for defending his boys at all costs, but Wenger decided now was the time to let out his growing frustrations.

He continued: “When you score an own goal, you have to look at yourself. It is never completely out of your reach where you have no chance at all. Our season depends now on how well we respond to this disappointment and how quickly we can cut out the mistakes we made on Saturday by giving away goals that we should never give away.”

Wenger is correct. If the Gunners continue on the current course, we could be looking at a mid-table finish or worse. Something needs to change, whether it is the philosophy or the confidence does not matter. The Bolton match on Saturday at the Emirates is huge for our season.

Robin van Persie said he is “frustrated” with the team this season. He [...]

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20 September 2011 @ 7:00 | Tags: , | Category: Arsene Wenger, Robin van Persie | Leave a comment

Robin van Persie named as Arsenal captain

By jtom on 16 August 2011 @ 16:45

Arsene Wenger has selected Robin van Persie as the next skipper for the Gunners. Van Persie said he is prepared to become the new Arsenal captain.

Arsenal announced on Tuesday that the Dutch striker will take over as skipper. Cesc Fabregas, former Gunner captain, left for Barcelona Sunday night, and now RvP must assume the leadership role in the squad. Here is what Wenger told Arsenal Official Matchday Programme:

“Robin van Persie will be captain this season.

“He is a leader through the way he plays, through his attitude and through his desire to win. He’s been at the Club a long time and he’s a technical leader as well. Thomas Vermaelen will assist him, it’s the decision I have made and I’m confident the group will respond to it.”

Van Persie is ready to wear the armband, telling Arsenal Official Matchday Programme: “As captain you are an ambassador for the Club and I’m ready for that. I’ve been in the game now for more than ten years, so I know how this world works.

“When I was 18 I didn’t have a clue! Every day I was always surprised by something, when I went to training or when I had a game, every day was just one big surprise for me. How people reacted after the game – the fans, players, media – it was all a surprise to me, I was just thinking about playing football.

“But now I know how things work and I understand that certain [...]

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16 August 2011 @ 16:45 | Tags: , , | Category: Robin van Persie | Leave a comment