As the final international break for 2016 is reaching its end, football fans around the world are smacking their lips in anticipation for the big game between Arsenal and Manchester United this weekend. The Red Devils will host Arsenal as old foes Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger will go head to head for the first time in the 2016-17 edition of the English Premier League.
Also Read: Wenger eyes golden chance to put one over Mourinho
While there is soo much history to this fixture, the presence of Jose Mourinho in the Manchester United dug-out will certainly add some spice to the game. In this week's ‘What if’ edition we focus on Arsenal and Manchester United pondering about how things would have been different if not for the Dutch striker’s departure to Manchester United from Arsenal in the summer of 2012
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#1 Arsenal could have ended their Premier League drought
The Premier League drought! Yes, it is a sensitive topic for every Gunner out there. Arsenal has not managed to win a single Premier League trophy since their Invincibles season around 12 years ago. However, with the arrival of top class players in the last few years, the Gunners are getting closer and closer only to let go of it after the winter break.
With the arrival of players like Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, and Alexis Sanchez in the last three years, a clinical striker could have been every Gunner’s dream. Had Robin Van Persie stayed, he could have made the most of these signing and guided Arsenal to a Premier League trophy ending the drought.
Over the last few seasons, Arsenal has struggled with their inconsistency in front of goal. It is almost certain that a striker like Van Persie could've been the difference between them dropping down the table after Christmas and extending their lead after Christmas.
#2 Oliver Giroud would not be an Arsenal Player
If there is any player who has received the most mixed reactions from the Arsenal fans over the last three years, its Oliver Giroud. However, the Frenchman would never have switched to the Premier League had Robin Van Persie stayed in Arsenal. Giroud was a last minute transfer by Arsene Wenger who was desperately in need of a striker towards the end of the 2012 summer window.
The Frenchman has been in the news for a variety of things. Be it his charming face, his antics off the pitch, his dreadful pace, his stunning goals or his utterly horrifying misses, Oliver Giroud in the last three seasons has given Arsenal fans soo much to talk about. The Van Persie transfer was after all not soo bad for at least this current Arsenal player.
#3 Alex Song would have stayed at Arsenal
On August 15th of 2012, Arsenal was shocked as Robin Van Persie switched to their direct rivals in Manchester United. However, another star from the 2011-12 season would leave only five days later as Barcelona came calling. Alex Song, who currently plays for Rubin Kazan was at the peak of his career in the summer of 2012 when he switched to Barcelona.
It is suspected that with Van Persie’s departure, things looked like a mess at Arsenal. Santi Cazorla’s arrival was another contributing factor in Alex Song’s decision as an offer from Barcelona was just too good to resist for the Cameroonian. Had Van Persie stayed, it is likely that Wenger and his talisman could have convinced Song to stay for at least another season.
#4 Fulham could’ve gone down a year earlier in 2012-13
While this may not be one of the obvious consequences of Robin Van Persie’s transfer, a club that benefitted a lot from the move was Fulham. The Londoners were smart to bag Dimitar Berbatov who was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford competing with Javier Hernandez and Robin Van Persie for a spot.
With star players from the 2011-12 season like Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy and most important Clint Dempsey gone, it was Dimitar Berbatov who was expected to lead the Fulham team along with Bryan Ruiz. The Bulgarian took this opportunity to show the Premier League that he was still one of the best in the business.
With 15 goals in the season, Berbatov helped Fulham finish in 12th in the League in 2012-13. With Berbatov loaned out to Monaco for half of the next season, even the return of Clint Dempsey couldn’t stop Fulham from going down to the Championship.
#5 No glorious farewell to Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Manchester United
It is not often that a player who represents a team like Manchester United for only three seasons is remembered fondly by their fans as a legend of the club. However, Robin Van Persie did exactly that and a massive part of his status stems from his mindblowing first season at the club which was their X-factor on their journey to the Premier League title.
With 30 goals in all competitions and 26 in the Premier League, Robin Van Persie had one of the best seasons of his career which led United to the League title. This title would also be Sir Alex Ferguson’s last as a Manchester United coach which only goes on to put so much more value to this trophy. No doubt, Van Persie's presence helped Sir Alex bow out in style.
The Old Trafford faithful will forever be grateful to Robin Van Persie and displayed their warmth towards the player when he scored a goal for Fenerbahce upon his Manchester United return earlier this season.
