RVP - The last hope

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30th September 2006. Charlton Athletic (remember them?) played host to Arsenal at The Valley. I may have had to look up the date but there was a goal scored in that match which still lingers in my memory.

Arsenal on the attack, ball crossed in from the right flank and then met with one of the cleanest volleys I have seen from just outside the box.

The ball rocketed into the upper right corner of the goal and Robin van Persie ran to celebrate with the away fans.

It has been a tumultuous five years since for Arsenal. They have not won a single trophy and have seen their best players being routinely snapped up by other clubs.

Only two players remain at Arsenal who were there when Van Persie joined the club (Manuel Almunia and Johan Djourou) and neither of those two have been first team regulars. Such has been the ‘talent drain’ at Arsenal.

It was therefore inevitable, when Fabregas left Arsenal in the summer, that the captain’s armband would go to van Persie despite the fact that he has never shown any significant leadership qualities till now.

Indeed, he has spent a large portion of his time with Arsenal suffering one injury or another, never being able to influence his team the way a captain is expected to.

Quite simply, he was made captain of Arsenal because he was the only world class player left at the club.

Van Persie has started this season brightly. He has played all nine league matches and has scored five goals in the process.

After a disastrous start to their season, Arsenal seem to be picking up pace and Van Persie has played an important part in it. However, an injury this season to van Persie would be fatal to Arsenal’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

If that turns out to be the case, it will be increasingly difficult for Arsenal to strengthen their team as their ability to attract world class talent will diminish further. Such is the pressure on van Persie at the moment.

We have all heard Fabregas’ constant claim that Barcelona was his home, but one of the main reason he left was his ambition to actually win trophies and Arsenal’s inability to procure one. That ambition is shared by all footballers.

Only time will tell whether van Persie can lead his team back to the glory days or whether he too will succumb to the weight of expectations and seek greener pastures elsewhere.