In selling Robin van Persie, Arsenal both win and lose

Summer transfer windows reek of gunk-like déjà vu for Arsenal fans; most years are pebbled with a want-away player trying to force a move to pastures newer (or at least monetarily greener) with the club being held over a barrel during contract negotiations. This is followed by an Arsenal brave-face, an inevitable increase in bidding price from the suitors, and a last-minute fire sale before scampering to get replacements before the clock strikes twelve and the transfer ballroom is closed for everyone. This summer has admittedly been better in some aspects; anticipating the sale of Robin van Persie, the club have bought in potential replacements, or at least damage-offsetters in Podolski and Giroud, and are playing an admirable bout of hardball with Man United, Man City and Juventus for the Dutchman’s signature.

Kiss goodbye?

There must be a fierce tug-of-war session going on in CEO Ivan Gazidis’ mind. Faced with a rebellious captain for the second year running, he must try and balance between doing what is best for Arsenal- the football club and Arsenal- the business.

It would be good for the business

I request the Arsenal contingent to hear me out here. We’re not talking about selling van Persie for pittance; or about keeping the money generated in the tightest of purse-strings as is usually our wont. But if it has been established that van Persie wants to leave the club (and, while not explicitly mentioning anything about leaving, one would have to say that the statement he released earlier on in the summer has made van Persie’s position at Arsenal untenable), then Arsenal must strive to get the best price they can for him.

The shrewd economist in Wenger knows that the current football market is horribly lopsided. One the heavy end lie lottery clubs like Chelsea, Man City and PSG, fuelled by Russian rubles and Arab opulence, willing to throw money at anything that moves if it can get them some trophies in return. On the other, far more populated side of the weight-scale lie the normal clubs; struggling to cope with the global financial downturn, having wage troubles and generally bearing the brunt of the disparity that has been birthed in footballdom.

In such a situation, balancing one’s books becomes even more important than it usually is. Arsenal have made three quality signings this summer so far, all of them with bags of experience and internationally acknowledged. The total outlay comes out to something approaching 36 million pounds; which is heartening from an Arsenal fan’s point of view when you consider the hitherto parsimonious nature of Arsenal’s boardroom. But sizable investments like this can quickly beget a downward slide if not backed up with results on the pitch. Can Arsenal really afford to keep van Persie to the last year of his contract, cold-shouldering a potential sum of 15 million pounds or more were they to sell him now?

Looking at it from another, more fan-oriented point of view, what if a solid sum of 15-20 million were to be reinvested in the team? By all accounts, Arsenal were over-reliant on van Pesie last season. If his sale were to be mitigated by a few more signings of real intent (and Arsenal have shown themselves to be capable of that this year) then could not Arsenal have a better overall squad in theory? It was a minor miracle that the Dutchman stayed fit the entirety of last season anyways. There’s a very strong case to be made for selling van Persie, in that Arsenal could get a good price for a player who doesn’t want to commit, and reinvest that money in the squad to make it better-rounded.

It would be bad for the football club

Speaking with heart intrepidly on sleeve, Robin van Persie moving to Manchester United will be a black day in the history of this football club. Arsenal and United have a rivalry that has transcended generations and produced many lingering memories for supporters of either ilk. For Arsenal to go from the heady days of manhandling Ruud van Nistelrooy, to selling their best player and captain to direct rivals, would be tantamount to waving the white flag. It would be an admission that Arsenal and United are no longer rivals at all, which would be a kick in the teeth for most gooners.

Not that van Persie moving to other suitors would be any better. Man City have raided London Colney again and again; and this would be further evidence of the gulf between the two clubs. A move to Juventus seems relatively more palatable, but the fact that Arsenal’s best player once again wants out of the club still sticks out like the sorest of thumbs.

And this sale would do nothing but create more unease in the Arsenal camp right on the cusp of the new Premier League season. Arsene Wenger is no stranger to transfer sagas scuppering his pre-season preparations; with last summer’s Fabregas and Nasri imbroglios resulting in Arsenal’s worst start to a season in 58 years. The last thing the manager or fans would want is an ugly repeat of the same.

In short, lots of fans would appreciate a show of resolve by the club; a willingness to take financial losses in their stride but make a statement by keeping van Persie to the last year of his contract and challenging full-tilt in all competitions. The Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard cases should be enough to tell us that a footballer’s view easily changes with time. It would not be beyond the realms of possibility for van Persie to do a turnaround and sign a new contract after a successful season in London if Arsenal win something.

The dilemma before Gazidis and co. is clear. There will be voices of dissent whatever choice they make, but those voices will ultimately have to be cordoned off while taking rational decisions. Above all, they will have to decide and act upon what is best for Arsenal; football club, business, everything.