Robin van Persie, “It is a pity we didn’t sign Rafael Van der Vaart”
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has confirmed reports saying how he wanted manager Arsene Wenger to sign his Dutch colleague Rafael Van der Vaart.
Speaking ahead of the World Cup Finals, the 26-year old explained that life has not always been easy for him alongside the Real Madrid player but thanks to the help of former Holland coach Marco van Basten, the two learned to play alongside each other and form a nice relationship on the pitch.
Two weeks ago, the 27-year old midfielder did in fact admitted that he was very close to join his friend at Arsenal, explaining how the North London Club is a great club with some exciting players, but then opted to move to Spain.
Van Persie, who was in devastating form for his National side in friendlies last month, added how there is no way for him to leave Arsenal to play for a club like Real Madrid as there are way too many players and managers coming and going, which is not a the philosophy the Dutchman is after.
The Arsenal man concluded by saying how the philosophy of Arsenal and Barcelona is the one he appreciates the most and how he also loves to play for the Dutch National side.
He said:
It is a pity we didn’t sign him.
We used to be big rivals in national youth teams and did not get on as young lads. It was Marco van Basten who told us in the last World Cup to create a stronger bond.
He said, ‘If you and Rafael work closely together, you will both rise another level in your game’. He was dead right. We understand each other so well on the pitch.
Van der Vaart has said that, if Arsenal don’t sign him, I’ll have to join him in Madrid!
But I don’t think that is for me. Real is a fantastic club but the speed of managers and players coming and going is frightening. It must give them neck ache, looking who is coming in and going out.
They have this philosophy: You did not win anything this year. There is the door and here is a couple of million to buy you off. Ready for the next purchase.
I prefer the philosophy of Arsenal and Barcelona.
With Holland we must never play counter attacking football. Thank God we don’t do that, either.
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I wonder whats all this ballyhoo on us signing midfielders and fowards when not so long ago, everyone including me agreed that a top notch defender (even 2 actually), a midfield hardman and a quality goalkeeper was the most needed to steady our flagging ship. Ok so now we have got Chamakh on the free (but that includes another 70,000 wager which I dont really mind if he fires us to the top) and now whats this news about Joe Cole? Another midfield playmaker? Ok I could take it with a pinch of salt because nothings confirmed anyway but with our current players still talkin about fowards and midfielders, many seemed to have forgotten whats most needed. Arsene did say he wants to conclude all his transfer signings before the World Cup. We have another 4 DAYS BEFORE THAT HAPPENS! I am not convinced that will happen so what are we saying here? Back to square one? Certainly Arsene SHOULD know the prices skyrockets for a player after the World Cup.
But Im still being optimistic, magic can happen in 4 days because anything is possible with that crazy genius
I’ve always been a fan of Van Der Vaart since Ajax and although defense is where the focuse should be I’d be ecstatic if we signed him and sold Arshavin. The Russian is pure magic but he only shows it when he feels like it and that doesn’t slide for me. Arshavin’s sporadic performances have not impressed me the way I know he can and for 15M he needs to stop being so moody. At least Van Der Vaart seems to grab every chance he can when he plays and I respect that.
As for Joe Cole, he’s a very versatile player and while he’s a playmaker, what separates him from alot of other players is that he’s brillitant in attack but is not afraid to get stuck in. He’s strong in the tackle and can actually defend when necessary. Too often I’ve seen players like Denilson or Diaby lose the ball in midfield and waltz around the pitch instead of going to win back the ball. Joe Cole’s a fighter and we need some strong hearts and minds in this team.
I would very much like Arsene to address the defense issue though. We’re losing half our defense and our goalkeepers are utter rubbish for a team who plays in the CL so consistently. If there’s one place Wenger cannot afford to skim on anymore it’s the players who keep the ball from going into our own net.
WC mate….i magree with u
I see wenger will do what fans want in this transfer season. No warry.
Everyone talks this and that but AW hasnt said a word. He knows what his priorities are and as always doing it quietly last season he got Vermalene and boy he’s good..
It was a silly mistake that Wenger knew very well that he was making. Remember he has promised to sign someone and he didn’t.
Rafael Van Der Vaart can offer so much more and he would have been a better choice once all strikers were crocked as he is better in front of goal than even some of the best strikers around despite being a midfielder.
guys, he never said he’ll get all the signings done before the world cup starts, what he did say was that he’ll get at LEAST one signing before the world cup.
Robin, you can say that about 20 other players we should have signed.