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Untold Media: Robin van Persie still didn’t say that (and neither did his agent). But I’ll tell you who did.
By: Anne
Back in July, when Untold published my article All the things that Robin Van Persie did not say (PS, you’ve been conned) , it seemed that I was the only person in the world who was willing to suggest that the “statement” recently attributed to Robin Van Persie on his supposed “official website” was not actually made by Robin Van Persie. However, in light of certain subsequent events, I’ve decided that the time has come to revisit this topic and provide a few updates.
Once I’ve finished my follow-up analysis on the van Persie “statement,” I will turn to Bacary Sagna’s recently reported comments, which I find to be suspiciously similar to van Persie’s; both in terms of the content of the “statements” themselves, and the way that they fit into the overall media narrative that surrounds them.
My first update is that I am no longer the only person to have alleged that this van Persie “statement” was fabricated. And assuming that the following quote itself wasn’t fabricated, the person who backed me up has a certain amount of credibility on the subject:
Arsene Wenger has “highlighted his doubts that Van Persie was behind the statement issued on the Dutchman’s official website, that claimed he would refuse any offer of a new deal with the club.
He noted: ‘I wouldn’t like to comment too much on that situation because you’re not always sure that it’s Van Persie’s statement, you know.’”
So, with this update, the public record of opinion supporting the belief that this RVP “statement” was fabricated now reads as follows:
Untold Media:
“There is absolutely no way in hell that this ‘Update for the Fans’ that appeared on some random website was actually written by Robin Van Persie.”
Arsene Wenger:
“You’re not always sure that it’s van Persie’s statement, you know.”
The way that the media has reported this quote from Arsene Wenger is extremely strange. First of all, all of the other articles that cite this quote present it as an attack by Arsene Wenger on Robin Van Persie’s agent, Kees Vos, and give the impression that Arsene was accusing Vos of being the real author of the “statement.” However, there is nothing in the language of the quote itself that leads me to believe that Arsene was pointing the finger at Kees Vos here.
Secondly, the quote was reported extremely sparsely. This should have been a huge news story, given the significance that has been attributed to this “statement,” in terms of Robin’s supposed “decision” to leave Arsenal. And yet, hardly anyone picked it up at all, and none of the major English papers even touched it. Except for the Sun (which is never a good sign, in any respect).
The following is essentially the entire media response to this quote, starting with the Sun, and moving on from there. Note the suspiciously repetitive nature of the way that the quote was reported:
The Sun:
“Wenger …took a swipe at Van Persie’s agent, Kees Vos, after the player issued a statement that he would not be signing a new deal with Arsenal.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t like to comment too much on that situation because you’re not always sure that it’s Van Persie’s statement, you know.’”
Tribal Football:
Arsenal boss Wenger takes aim at Van Persie agent
“Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made it clear who he believes is to blame for the Robin van Persie drama.
Wenger took a swipe at Van Persie’s agent, Kees Vos, after the player issued a statement that he would not be signing a new deal with Arsenal.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t like to comment too much on that situation because you’re not always sure that it’s Van Persie’s statement, you know.’”
Inewsgh (which is Ghanaian, apparently):
“Wenger also took a swipe at Van Persie’s agent, Kees Vos, after the player issued a statement that he would not be signing a new deal with Arsenal.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t like to comment too much on that situation because you’re not always sure that it’s Van Persie’s statement, you know.’”
ESPN:
“Wenger…also hit out at Van Persie’s agent, Kees Vos, after the striker issued a statement earlier in the summer that said he would not be signing a new deal with the Gunners.
‘I wouldn’t like to comment too much on that situation because you’re not always sure that it’s Van Persie’s statement, you know,’ he said.”
So, what to make of this quote? The first thing we have to consider is the possibility that the quote was fabricated. I haven’t been able to corroborate it on Arsenal player, and the manner in which it was reported certainly raises questions about its credibility. However, I can’t figure out why on earth the media would fabricate a quote from Arsene Wenger (of all people), which appears to support my argument that the media fabricated the Robin van Persie “transfer saga” from whole cloth.
Clearly, the intent in most of the above reporting was to present the idea that if the van Persie “statement” was, in fact, fabricated, it was van Persie’s agent Kees Vos who did it (and definitely not the media). But if that’s the case, then why not fabricate an actual quote from Arsene where he says that Kees Vos wrote the “statement,” as opposed to a quote that makes it look like Arsene Wenger said something else, and the media is trying to misrepresent it?
I don’t know exactly what to make of this one, but for now, I’ve decided to take this quote at face value. Unless something else turns up that would lead me to explain it differently. So, as of now, it’s me and Arsene against the world. And we’re both saying that Robin van Persie was not the author of that “statement.” Also as of now, Arsene Wenger has not expressed an opinion as to the identity of the likely fabricator, although media reports have tried to give the impression that he was blaming Robin van Persie’s agent, Kees Vos.
However, I have a rather different opinion of who the likely fabricators of the “statement” were. And since it’s been left to me, I’ll go ahead and explain to you who did it and how (in my personal opinion, of course). Although I actually don’t know their specific identity. It’s just that I, like all Arsenal fans, have had the opportunity to become extremely familiar with their “work” by now.
But I will continue in the next episode.
- Arsenal 9 Southampton 3
- Saint Santi, the killer of the Saints
- Us v Them. Billy the Dog takes a look at the game, and the Isle of Wight
- FINALLY – We present the referee bias tables for last season
- End of Season top of the table predictions
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/arsenal/98438/snapshot-the-young-robin-van-persie-circa-1996.html
I am less interested in who wrote the statement than why RVP left after seeing Podolski, Cazorla on the training ground and why he then came out with ‘the boy inside’ comment, given the photo of him at 12/13.
Was the boy inside always more interested in huge amounts of money than staying with a club he supported (and still huge amounts of money (though slightly less))?
Glad to see you’re back, Anne! And good to see that Wenger is (apparently) in agreement. The co-incidence of the RVP and Usmanov statements is too striking to be mere chance, says I. I’ll be interested to read you’re follow-up post.
A related media question that I’ve had: why the general silence about Song going off to Barca? I’d have thought there would have been a lot more noise and trumpets about losing him for the ridiculous price we did, but there’s been practically nothing in the few websites I visit. Strange indeed, says I. Any thoughts?
It really doesnt matter who wrote it because RVP could have said it was or wasnt him. There, end of a story.
Agree with you @Fred!
Anne – did he ever deny that he did not make that statement? Without going into the p’s and q’s of the statement, it may be his agent or his 3 yr old son…did he deny it ever…the matter was that he was lining up for a big pay day! Who cares…he was always a hypocrite and he left…End of matter. Can we not look at it like this, that it was a shrewd ploy by him, had he not been offered ‘that fat pay check’ by Manure, he could have stayed back with us and said, well I never made that statement and we would have all gleefully accepted his explanation.
I have no respect for this man. Sorry I do not agree. I don’t think that this deserves a write up on Untold…I am waiting for his next injury…bastard.
Ŧђɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣kƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇, I sincerely support ΰя believe, Ãήϑ I still don’t know why people don’t appreciate Arsene. They see him as a thret in Thε̲̣̣̣̥ league, think media Α̲̅я̩̥̊ε̲̣̣̣̥ just corroborating Thε̲̣̣̣̥ league menace against Arsenal Ãήϑ Arsene.
Anne, whatever the ins and outs of the Van Persie saga, the fact remains that Arsenal, by his departure, have become a far stronger entity, less a one-man attack and a more loyal dressingroom.
The signing of three class players, coupled with the transfer of the ill-disciplined Song has helped to create a midfield and attack which is already bonding into a formidable force.
I look forward to the continued presence of Abu Dhabie and to the return of Wilshire.
The influence of Steve Bould on the defence is beginning to bear fruit.
Arsene Wenger has at his disposal, at long last, an embarrassment of riches from which to choose on match days.
The keys to our success this term are (a) only an average sick list for a change and (b) 100% support from all fans at all times for everyone selected by Arsene to wear the shirt.
One of the things we know for certain is that a meeting was held between RVP and Ivan Gazidis at the end of last season well before the Euros and well before the notorious statement came out. Gazidis reported at the fans open meeting that there was an agreement made at that meeting to say nothing.
However that doesn’t mean to say that there was no agreement as to what would be said and when it would be said. If Arsenal actually wanted to sell RVP (getting the highest price possible, replacing him in very good time and being seen as the blameless victims of tapping up and dangerous market inflation) then it could hardly have gone better. The fact that Usmanov blurted out his own reaction proved, in the end, to be a revealing bonus.
Does this point to the fact that the RVP statement was agreed, or even imposed, by the Club as the price that RVP would have to pay in order to get his 100%(?) pay rise?
The problem is not on who wrote the Van Persie statement but who APPROVED it. And Van Persie gleefully linked it from his twitter account (in case you’re not on twitter).
Even Arsenal official website had response for the statement immediately. They considered it as an official and important Van Persie public statement.
I’m sorry Anne but this is a pretty useless article. We should just let him go. The little boy inside of him didn’t want us and he didn’t love Arsenal. That’s it.
why dwelled on this issue which is of no importance for now, who wrote or who didn’t write. lets not forget, where there is smoke fire will surely be underneath. RVP consented to this and in the end he left. i think arsenal should think about our current state and problems and try to ractify them then to focus on a death situation that is done and gone for good.
End of the day are we missing him??
Boring, boring, boring.
Frankly, this is getting weird now. Chances are you made a mistake with your original articles on this subject. Whatever. No big deal. Now you are just pointlessly digging a deeper hole.
He wrote it; an employee wrote it; another party wrote it…. Who cares? As stated above, he didn’t disown it and he got what he wanted out of it. More importantly, we aren’t missing him.
There is unquestionably bias against us in the game and the media.Avoidance of paranoia is crucial in fighting this. Much like how silly conspiracy theorists detract from genuine arguments against the activities governments/corporations etc, articles like this serve to perpetuate the idea that we are a silly paranoid bunch.
Modern player chases money and trophies, letting the club that made them and its fans down in the process. Shock horror
I think person behind that statement (writing and convincing RVP to do it) is same who was behind Song’s complaiments about how “badly Arsenal board” treated him.
I think RvP did aprove for statement, but maybe he tought it would be bit different (at least the fans reaction for it). He could not deny it because most would not believe him.
Also those little boy comments RvP had to say something to ManU fans. There was no way he could say “I wanted more money, Arsenal didn’t want me anymore and only club to pay was this awful place. I hate the fans of this club almost as much as I hate manager ands my new diving cheating teammates. But I had nowhere else to go so I’m here”.
I don’t hate RvP, I’m grateful for what he has done for Arsenal in last 8 years and how he changed my life 6 years ago. But now I don’t really care about him.
@Benhan, Completely agree with you .He APPROVED it and that’s it.
PS: Anne, please no more articles on him. He is gone and forgotten.
wasted 5 mins of my life reading this pointless article. we all know he appoved that statement. we are not fools! Anne, please don’t waste your time on this.
Hi Anne,
Nice to see you back.
Have you seen this article:
“http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/49f4621a-aab2-11e1-9331-00144feabdc0.html#axzz23n4Brwqq”
by Henk Spaan.
I saw the link on another Arsenal website and I was amazed. Apparently Robin had a very poor attitude towards Aaron Ramsey (and others). I think this shows his typical Dutch football mentality of picking favourites and causing dressing room disharmony. I am wondering that to look at Ramsey in particular, he seems much more relaxed than last season and maybe that is because a certain squad member has left.
Robin went as captain of Arsenal to Man Utd. He could have cut wage demands and went to Juventus. He chose to go to Man Utd. The club chose to take the money, but the then Arsenal captain chose to go to Ferguson’s filthy den.
He might be a good player but his character is atrocious, as evidenced by these two examples of really terrible actions.
@CB:
I’m not so sure that it was Robin’s decision to leave.
@FinnGonner if he thought the fans reaction would be a bit different than I guess we overrated his intelligence. The statement itself was kinda patronizing the fans.
My take on RVP transfer: he’s ill advised, overestimated his stature among fans, the PR move backfired, he’s burnt the bridge and Wenger had to sold him. End of story. Whatever Wenger said about Van Persie before his transfer was to gain as much money as possible from United.
@Sav I read the article just after his public statement aired. With the benefit of hindsight I saw it as another PR move from Van Persie this time using his Dutch friend who happened to be a journalist. The article mainly was about Van Persie opinions disguised in the journalist view. He berated Ramsey, Gervinho, Arshavin (in sync with the Chamberlain being substitued by Arshavin scene, anyone?) and favored Walcott. I can imagine he came to Wenger with a list of players to be signed before extending his contract and got told to fuck off.
I think we (the fans, manager and the staffs) were being conned by Van Persie.
He might win a few little trophies with his new club but he would never be a legend at the end of his football career, I’m sure.
Anne,
I am curious to see where you are going with this and how it all links with Sagna’s statement.
As with the ref report initiated by Untold, I believe that your complementary press review/report have helped to calm things down on both fronts for Arsenal….or am I being deceived?
It will be interesting to hear what you and Walter have to say on both matters bye and bye.
Meanwhile, neither you nor Walter can relent…eternal vigilance is the price of freedom – so goes the saying.
@El Gringo:
Glad you’re glad to see me back 🙂
“The co-incidence of the RVP and Usmanov statements is too striking to be mere chance, says I.”
I agree. But that doesn’t mean that I blame Robin. I don’t, in fact.
And what exactly was the price that Arsenal lost Song for? I’m not sure I believe these media reports anymore about transfer fees. I think that the reason Song went to Barca when he did was to distract from the underlying questions about the RVP “transfer saga,” to be honest…
@fred:
It matters. The difference between truth and lies always matters.
@Asif:
If someone pointed a gun at your head and told you to be quiet, would you do it?
@Nicky:
The “ill-disciplined Song?” Where did you get that? Song was a fantastic player while he was at Arsenal, and he’s also a completely wrong fit for Barca. I’d like some explanations from Arsenal as to why he was transferred, actually.
@insideright:
Are you trying to say that Arsenal actually sanctioned the RVP transfer? If they did, it would probably be better if they didn’t hide it from the fans.
@benhan:
I don’t think it’s a useless article. I think that fans have the right to know the truth.
@barbes13 and colario:
Nobody cares anymore about what’s happening to all these Arsenal players? I’m surprised. I still care. And I still have unanswered questions.
@paddy:
No, I didn’t make a mistake.
@FinnGooner:
Has your spell check broken since you last left a comment? 🙂
@Arun:
I haven’t forgotten him.
@Gouresh:
Waste my time? I suppose that I’m the only member of the public who has questions…
@Anne
did you meant he couldn’t make his own decision? He’s a grown up for sure though he’s still living with the little boys inside…
Our last game of previous season at WBA away: Van Persie went to the away supporter section alone clapping their support. The stewards tried to escort him out of the pitch but he refused. It looked like he wanted more time to say goodbye to the fans.
The best thing to deal with his departure is: accept it. The sooner we can do it, the faster we can forget him. There’s 25 Arsenal players we need to support to challenge for the title this season. Why should we keep talking about a United player in this Arsenal blog?
I agree with Anne, I thought Song was and remains a terrific player. However, I now wonder if AW wanted him to play a role that the player himself felt he’d ‘grown out’ of? Look at how solid Arsenal appear this season with Arteta now providing the glue that was once Song’s responsibility.
Arsene knows he has an abundance of riches in respect of the midfield so the profit he made on Song’s sale was both the icing on the cake as well as a possible solution to certain perceived imbalances in the side (ie, Song’s tendency to go forward too far and too often).
The RvP issue still fascinates me, though many have understandably grown bored with it.
It still doesn’t REALLY make sense!
Why join a potentially fading Man U outfit with well-documented fiscal challenges ahead of them whilst abandoning a club that is clearly going places with some of the best signings made anywhere over the last 13 months or so?
Even now I wonder whether RvP’s departure was a little like World War One which was largely an accidental development triggered by something small(ish) that led to the disaster.
I’m not certain RvP ever wanted to leave and I’m pretty sure he was keen to stay at the very end but events overtook him as his agent, charged with getting the best deal for his final contract, triggered a sequence of events that quickly spiraled from RvP’s control.
Ultimately sad for Robin.
But an opportunity for Arsenal as the millions we have taken in for both him and Song have made for the most cost-effective player-inwards investment possible.
Both Barcelona and Man U have been complicit in hastening the day when Arsenal can compete with them both on – and off – the pitch.
Whether RvP himself was ultimately behind the move will largely prove irrelevant to Arsenal.
But as a question to be investigated it will always hold interest for this observer.
Don’t be stupid,it was his website and he wrote it,he’s an ungrateful degenerate and you and evrybody else needs to move on,f*** him,let’s concentrate on our team..Sant,Lukas the lot of them.
@Anne:
“@benhan: I don’t think it’s a useless article. I think that fans have the right to know the truth.”
It’s useless because you can never know the truth except Wenger decides to write a book about it when he retires.
I understand your effort to paint Van Persie as the “good guy” in this case but unfortunately the facts don’t support your suggestion.
@Shakabula:
“It will be interesting to hear what you and Walter have to say on both matters bye and bye.”
Is that a threat…?
@benhan:
Because I care about the players. I care about them. I want to know what’s happening to them, and I want to be sure that they’re being treated the way they should be. Who wouldn’t feel the same way?
I’m out for today. This is definitely a weird comments section.
@Anne: easy, because for “the best interest of the club” like Wenger said, Arsenal decided to sell them.
Van Persie isn’t an Arsenal player anymore, so I stop care about him.
rvp didnt write it “the little boy within”did it. its why he didnt come out to claim he has no hand in it.
well Anne….
to know the truth, we’ll have to wait till some one opens a filthy bottle of truth. And having seen Mr Wenger for years, I think RVP will open it for us.
The statement was released to push ARSENAL to a corner and give him a big pay check. AND had ARSENAL caved in, then it would have been disastrous.
RVP and Songs departure has helped ARSENAL in a good way. AND looking at the first 4 games…………we are looking good for the top step this season (may be I am too optimistic).
I don’t want to believe you were paid for this write up. RVP or not, Arsenal remain. But RVP never deny that he did not make such statement. And again, RVP is not a minor neither his agent force the decision on him, pl’s, you can’t turn us back to traitor like RVP he is goon n he goon,we have a better life to live.Please, the second phrase, of your write up should be kept to yourself. If you don’t have anything to do better.If has not done well you would equally come to say RVP knew it that was why he issue that statement before left ARSENAL. Look, ARSENAL is my great club,don’t joke with me when it comes to that. So please, for christ sake remain mute forever.
Sav,
Exactly my line of thought as I mentioned the other day, now he has gone, the team as a whole has improved.
Anne,
Is there a chance that a certain someone is connected with the football agent and sees their way into Arsenal as a free production line of talent for their agent business? Long shot but he has hundreds of companies so it’s hard to tell.
RvP clearly has some clueless idiots advising him. Is he blameless personally, no.
I would suggest that after Cesc and Nasri left, RvP’s people felt that the club would do virtually anything to keep their remaining star player. Call it the Rooney doctrine if you will.
The warning signs should have been evident to the agents when Arsenal signed a proven international goalscorer who also played as a wide striker.
egbe joseph = if you don’t like an article, stop reading it.
Arseboy your comment would have a little more force behind it if you actually presented some evidence or logic to back up your assertion.
@Anne not trying to be an asshole here, but please read this before you post your “conspiracy theory” for the last part of your view on RVP situation:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-i-want-to-keep-van-persie-here
My highlight of the official website:
“Earlier this summer, the Dutch striker indicated he would not be signing a new deal at Emirates Stadium – a decision that prompted speculation he may leave north London.”
So whoever wrote the statement on his website, Arsenal officially acknowledged his desire of not signing a new deal.
That’s the truth you’re looking for.
@Sav from Australia
Great link to the FT article.
Anne, RVP is gone. The FT article explains a lot, given it is essentially RVP’s views. More research please, less inconsequences. We appreciate your effort of writing though, there are just so many better subjects. Data driven is best eg with stats (see the ref reviews as fantastic examples).
I can try and guess what you’re saying Anne. Arsenal flogged him to the highest bidder for $$$. Even if he did not want to go to ManU, Arsenal sold him.
A huge conspiracy theory could be that someone from Arsenal is writing those statements, getting the world against these players and then when they have enough PR backing..sell them on .. as there is very little public backlash. Who knows?
Or the agent or DDD for all you know for a big payday. That’s an easier thing to understand.
Alex Song is a weird weird one..really. But sadly while I’m all for these articles unlike a few here who cannot deal with it, and I daresay there may well be something more to all this than meets the eye…how do you prove it?
I however commend you Anne; on taking a stance and sticking to your guts no matter who cares or not. You do things because you want to and believe in them; not because the world tells you what the truth is.
Keep writing.
Think some people are missing the point a bit. Think the questions to be asked is why would RvP leave and how did he come to that decision?
I’ll hazard a guess and say that perhaps Darren Dein may have had a few words with RvP somewhere along the line (as well as Song). My bet is it’s his name that will crop up in Anne’s next article.
Those of you who still need convincing, please read the following link from the Daily Mail dated March 2012 :
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2110640/Why-Robin-van-Persie-leave-Arsenal-David-Deins-son.html
RvP & Song may have had the final word in regards to leaving AFC, but they certainly didn’t come to those decisions without some persuasion and encouragement, and I think thats the point everyones missing. Players are being encouraged, advised (and badly too, might I add), perhaps even coerced into making the wrongs decisions. Instead of directing all the vitriol and abuse at the player, it’s time fans wised up to who their advisors are and perhaps start directing it towards them instead?
Wenger brought in reinforcments in Podolski, Giroud & Cazorla, and thats more than enough reason for the now departed players to want to have stayed. And they probably would have if they were left alone to make their decisions in peace. I suspect that they were given some pretty bad advice by their reps before any statements were issued or transfers were mentioned.
Anne,
I called Song “ill-disciplined” because that is what he was.
He tended to neglect his defensive duties on a number of occasions and joined in the attack, regardless….an unfortunate failing for a dmf.
There were rumours too, before his departure that he was at odds with Arsene Wenger over the role being demanded of him, this season.
@Anne
Nice to see you posting again, I always enjoy your point of view and I look forward to the follow up article.
However, I think you were a bit rough on nicky, there have been a lot of reports suggesting that Song was giving problems – late for training, poor attitude, not following orders and having disagreements with both Wenger and Bold. I am not sure how accurate these reports are, but they were widely reported. But, I do look forward to your take on these sales.
You may not want to believe it but the website was set up a few months before the statement was released and the player himself linked to it from his Twitter page. He may not have actually written the statement himself, but since it was released in his name and he is yet to deny it, you have to accept that he was in full agreement with the content. He wanted out. He had made his decision months before and strung everyone at Arsenal along when he had no intention of even discussing a new contract. He turned out to be a nasty, selfish piece of work and the club is well rid of him. I really cannot see what you hope to gain by trying to make him the victim here. Even SAF admitted that discussions had been ongoing for months and the only reason the deal went through is because the player pushed hard for it. That insulting statement certainly worked a charm in that respect.
Tony I take offence at your replies to Arseboy and Benhan.Some of us have gotten accustomed to good well thought and well written articles. We log in 5 on 6 times a day to see whether there are any new articles or to read the comments section.You cant now tell us not to read articles we dont like since you’re the one who spoiled us in the first place.Bill the dog’s posts make more sense that any of Anne’s 5 previous posts.
Oh look its Mike Dean again..it only took 4 games this time.. First of the many me thinks
First rule of journalism..never let the facts spoil a good story….its the idiots who read the comments and respond that perpetuates the myths.
@ Anne. As I said, you “probably” did. Based on what you have presented, you are not in the position to state that as fact, as you did in your reply to me above.
@ Tony. Anne is the one offering a somewhat controversial theory. The onus is on her to provide evidence. Not much so far…
And can we have an explanation as to why poor little robin chose not to distance himself from it? I like this site in the whole, but this is a bit shoddy I’m afraid.
Happy to be won over with evidence and a convincing logical argument though. A stickler for that.
@benhan what I meant by RvP expecting different reaction was that he though fans would see things in his way and “side” with him and not with board (overrating himself in fans eyes). Same that was tried (and failed) with Song (him leaving because board didn’t want to talk about new contract before September).
@Anne my spellcheck works on and off like my brain… 😉
Please correct me if I’m wrong (since I don’t read or trust much English papers I might have missed this) but ONLY MANU was willing to pay 20M that Arsenal wanted. ManC and Italians were offering about 10M. So Arsenal had no other choice than sell to ManU.
@paddy & Spartan
This article by Anne is the first of at least two, consequently it would be prudent to wait for the next one before jumping to too many conclusions.
@btjgooner
I’d bet my house there will only be further conjecture. Admittedly, not entirely sure my landlord would appreciate that.
Why do people always think these talented multi millionaires, with families to consider, never make their own decisions? A wee bit patronising, no? Especially the relatively intelligent ones such Mr Van Persie.
A convincing explanation as to why he didn’t disown the statement will be required for this to be taken at all seriously, regardless of the contents of part 2. If we get that, great.
Not trying to pre-empt Anne’s next article, but Anne’s points so far show the lazy habit of many journalists of simply copying what some other journalist has already written.
The quote from Arsene Wenger makes no mention of an agent so where else can these various journalists have got the suggestion from if not from each other?
Plus if Arsene Wenger is implying that journalists may be distorting the message, the last thing the journalists will do is draw attention to that fact. The journalist club stick together.
Interesting, controversial and engaging as this conversation and string is to read, you have ALL missed the real reason van Persie left. It’s the hideous purple away kit – he wouldn’t be caught dead in it. In fact the only reason we got Podolski and Cazorla on board is because of a peculiar colour-blindess they share. Giroud signed despite the kit because well…he’s French.
There – all clear? Now stop arguing and let’s rally round for a cracker of match tomorrow.
@SouthernGunner some players might be ill advised but finally they’re the one taking decision of their own future. It’s not that they’re not aware who their agent was. Song switched his agent just few years ago and he knew perfectly what he would gain from an agent like Darren Dein.
@Anne you wish to know what really happen on Song’s sale?
Read this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9487891/Arsenal-did-not-sell-Alex-Song-to-Barcelona-because-of-his-unprofessional-attitude.html
No, I’m kidding. That’s what Song’s agent briefed the press.
What really happened:
“The truth behind Alex Song’s departure from Arsenal #AFC
Alex Song was sold by Arsenal, rather than him leaving being another player ‘leaving’.
The problem’s started last season, when Song became agitated about his contract situation and it started to affect his on-field performance. The management were furious with his lack of defensive discipline and laziness towards the end of last season, in particular after the loss of Mikel Arteta to injury. Song didn’t jet off to his summer holidays on best terms with the Arsenal staff.
Pre-season began, and Song’s Agent (Darren Dein) approached Arsenal for talks over improved terms for his client. Arsenal let Darren Dein know that Song had 3 years remaining and would only be willing to sit down with him once other situations had been sorted. After that, Song’s attitude in training became a serious problem.
Song had always been a bit flashy and was sometimes late & slow, however he’d now become disruptive and was deemed to not be working hard enough, openly bragging about how much Barcelona want him to his teammates. This problem came to a head in Cologne, where Steve Bould, Arsene’s new right-hand man, “almost had Alex Song by the throat for being lazy and not listening to instructions”. Alex Song’s Arsenal career was in the balance.
The tipping point for Arsenal was when they found out his Agent, Darren Dein, had been offering him around Europe to other clubs; Barcelona in particular. They believed Dein agreed a contract for Song with Barca to force their hand into giving him improved terms; however, it did quite the opposite with Arsenal being “disgusted” with this behvaiour. A few days after the First-Team had returned from Cologne, Alex Song was told he could leave.
After knocking down approaches earlier in the Summer, Arsenal let Barcelona know that Song was now available at the right price, and they were happy to negotiate. Barca came in, and a deal was wrapped up relatively quickly for two clubs who don’t hold the best working relationship.
It was Arsenal’s choice to sell Song, and although to the naked eye it seems he’s gone on to better himself, the fact Arsenal have let him go with 3 years left for a fee they could have easily commanded next year, shows how they were happy to let him go and he was no longer part of their plans.”
From @AFCAMDEN, one of the respected ITK. He’s pretty much correct in many Arsenal issues and has good insider info. I believe his version more than Telegraph Darren Dein’s version though both versions contain some same facts with different presentations.
@1NiltotheArsenal I thought reason RvP left was because he took 1 look at Olivier Giroud without shirt and realized with Arteta and Giroud there is no way he can compete for most sexiest player in team so he moved to club where he could easier be best looking player.
I actuially like that new away shirt (I didn’t like it at first but seeing players playing it I changed my mind).
@benhan,
I was appalled and in turn fascinated by your detailed comment on the events leading up to the departure of Song.
Firstly I hope Anne reads what you have written.
Secondly, Arsenal must surely do something drastic about the labours of the Lesser Dein. Purely by chance, his hawking of Song around Europe ended in the desired result but to do this in principle is an apalling lack of good judgement.
It makes me worry over the future of our Club should Usmanov ever take over, with Dein Senior becoming Chairman.What would his son become?
@benhan Great stuff, thanks.
@ Tony, sign him up straight away for Untold. I would read that sort of post all day long. Similarly the RVP article by the Dutch journalist earlier.
@Anne do articles like this, will read you every time if so.
@nicky and @CB
Thanks. I just copy-pasted the post from @AFCAMDEN. If you have twitter account, follow him. He’s pretty much accurate with the insider info. He predicted Cazorla signing correctly.
But if you read John Cross from The Mirror, who’s quite close with Arsenal, you would get the same story too. I think Arsenal briefed the press about this thus Song’s agent responded with the Telegraph article.
Amusing that he tried to ask us to understand Song was entitled for a raise with 3 years still left in his contract. Arsenal asked him to be patient until 1 Sept (which means transfer window would have been closed). Song knew he can’t force the club after 1 Sept, thus forcing a move elsewhere.
While Van Persie forcing his move by open statement in public, Song did it by bad attitude in training.
You don’t mess with Steve Bould. Once you do that, you’re out. I’m actually glad with this new ruthless approach shown by Arsenal this season. It would set example for other players and their greedy agents. Wenger reiterated it on his response to Sagna latest statement:
“I believe any player or any employee always has to defend the company he works for and if he is not completely happy with it, then he has to go somewhere else.”
Should we care about them? I don’t think so. They deserve the treatment after their “disgusting” effort in forcing their way out of the club.
@nicky
I agree & further I find it hard not to think that Dein the Lesser, Dein the Dad and Usmanov are together trying to achieve exactly what you fear – Usmanov in charge, Dein the Dad as chairman – I think these two would then do much more damage to the future of the club than Dein the Lesser has done so far.
At present Dein the Lesser appears to be trying to weaken the team, manipulating players out in the expectation that results will suffer so that those not far away from him can light up the press with the Wenger out headlines – to the benefit of those who want to take over. Wenger is seen by them as a roadblock. So far they have failed, long may that be the case.
@FinnGooner: no, that is completely wrong. Robin only wanted to go to MANU, that is why they got him. The other two clubs pulled out of the race to sign him after Robin made it clear to them that his heart belonged to MANU. Arsenal got a great price and MANU got a great player. Everyone is happy.
To the extent that this was published EVERYWHERE as coming from RVP, it is informative that RVP did not deny it. If every sports paper prints it as gospel that RVP wrote it, all he had to do is inform he did not.
While interesting writing on your part, the unwillingness to broach this reality makes your argument fall on its face.