🤬 Arsenal's greatest villains: Robin van Persie | OneFootball

As finances tightened following their move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were no strangers to losing their best players.

Cesc Fábregas made his inevitable return to Barcelona, along with Alex Song. Emmanuel Adebayor and Samir Nasri both joined Manchester City.

But Robin van Persie leaving for Manchester United? This one hurt – and for several different reasons.

Having joined the club as a temperamental 20-year-old from Feyenoord in 2004, it’s fair to say Van Persie had to bide his time.

The Dutchman was always involved but due to injuries, others going through purple patches and tactical reshuffles, rarely starred as the centrepiece.

Until 2010. That’s when everything clicked for him in North London.

He scored 18 goals in 25 appearances during 2010/11, before being named captain in 2011 following the departure of Fábregas.

What we saw in 2011/12 was arguably the best centre forward in world football.

Van Persie scored 30 goals in 38 appearances – all while assisting 14 – as he finally he enjoyed a full season without setbacks.

But it wasn’t just the numbers.

The quality of his overall play was outstanding; finishing on both feet, that feathered first touch, creating chances, nutmegging players – he was truly a class above.

Van Persie knew it. Arsène Wenger knew it. Every Arsenal fan knew it. Yet his contract was running dangerously close to expiry and top European clubs began to circle.

Most people had made peace with him leaving as long as it was abroad. Juventus looked most likely, but then both Manchester clubs entered the race.

Wenger flirted with Van Persie signing a new deal in May, his wife even hinted at staying where he was ‘idolised’, but on July 4 – the statement appeared.

“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract,” read a message on the player’s official website. And that was that.

There was always the option to keep him and lose him for free next season, but everybody could read between the lines.

The golden boot winner was eventually sold to Manchester United for £24m, where he later revealed how the “little boy from within” urged him to make the move.

Of course Arsenal fans were furious at losing another star player to a rival. But deep down it was anger and frustration at their fallen status. The fact they couldn’t compete anymore.

Animosity has since waned and you can’t really begrudge Van Persie for winning the title almost singlehandedly the following season.

But there was something incredibly false about his ‘statement’ and the departure in general, leaving a sour taste in many mouths.

And that’s why his Arsenal legacy will forever be tarnished.