Gunners fans right to boo Robin van Persie?

The Dutchman returned to his old stomping ground for the first time after his controversial move to Old Trafford for around £24 million last summer. Both teams were targeting a victory for different purposes, as Arsenal eye a top-four finish and United intent on breaking Chelsea’s record points tally, but they could only manage an enthralling 1-1 draw.

Much of the pre-match focus was on the return of van Persie to Emirates and how he had helped the Red Devils win their record 20^th league title. Most Gooners felt that the 29-year-old turned his back on Arsenal at a time when they needed him the most and a feisty reception was to be expected.

Even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger couldn’t resist weighing in about the return of his former striker, as he hoped that the fans treat the return of their prodigal son with respect and appreciate what he accomplished in eight years with Arsenal.

However, football is a game of emotions and the emotions can quickly turn into hatred when your club captain joins a rival team and helps them win the league, whereas your club is still stuck in the mire.

The tone for the rest of the night was set early on as van Persie was met with a loud chorus of boos as soon as he stepped out of the tunnel, and it got louder once he had a few early touches of the ball as the match progressed.

The prolific striker had insisted he would not get affected by the boo-boys and was calm when he stroked the penalty with aplomb to draw United level. To his credit, he did not celebrate and showed respect to the Gunners faithful, even though the same wasn’t reciprocated.

So, are the fans justified in booing their former talisman? Being a Liverpool fan, I may not be in a position to air my views, although, I can relate to it. I had to bear watching one of the best strikers in the world during his time at Liverpool, Fernando Torres, depart Anfield in favour of a move to Chelsea, and justifiably so, as he won the Champions League last season.

And what reception did Liverpool fans give him? Booed right off the pitch, he was. Sure, Liverpool weren’t challenging for top honours and were in a rebuilding phase, but shouldn’t he have stuck around to aid their quest for major honours?

However, the winds have changed and while he may no longer be given a hero’s reception on his return, he will certainly not be booed right off the park.

They say that time heals all wounds, and there was no doubt in my mind that van Persie would be booed considering the timing of the match. His hat-trick against Aston Villa last weekend sealed the title for United and to form a guard of honour for him and his title-winning side was the final nail in the coffin.

Had this match taken place a couple of months before, when the title was still not decided; would the booing have been so vocal? Maybe not, as van Persie vindicated his decision to leave by winning the title, an achievement he could not accomplish during his eight-year stint at the Emirates.

This time next year, would the booing have been less if a 30-goal striker helped Arsenal win a cup competition and made sure that they were involved in a two-way battle for the title? You can bet your last dollar on it.

A top club like Arsenal always has a cycle of best players and it was time up for van Persie. The fact that they miss his goals led the fans to boo him more, in my opinion. Just like Suarez helped ease the pain of Torres’ departure, a similar effect can take place if they buy a striker, or a striker in their current crop, can score 30 next campaign.

In a nutshell, the Arsenal fans did not do anything wrong by booing van Persie. Its just a nature of this beautiful game. You frown upon a player who left your club, especially if he was as successful as van Persie himself. And only ‘time’ will tell what reception he can expect next time.