Will he stay or will he go?

ROBIN VAN PERSIE - THE MAN, THE LEGEND - WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?

ROBIN VAN PERSIE - THE MAN, THE LEGEND - WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?

As Robin van Persie strikes the ball with the outside of his foot against Bolton, he became another on the select list of players to score 100 goals for Arsenal football club. For most fans, this was almost a relief - the player who succumbed to injury so regularly during the majority of his stint at the club was completing a fantastic year, almost beating Alan Shearer's Premier League record for most goals in the league in a calendar year. As he wheeled away to celebrate, his top assister Theo Walcott trailing slightly behind, goosebumps crawled over my and the majority of fans in the crowd's body, as the passionate and motivated captain produced another encapsulating moment. This goal foreshadowed what was to come during the rest of the season, 27 league goals to show and a PFA player of the year award, as well as Football Writers Award, rewards the man, who has somewhat dragged the whole of the Arsenal team to priceless points at times this year. But, as Arsenal fans have experienced in the past, consistent performances attract attention and attention = trouble. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus to name a few all enter the frame to put in a bid, for a player whose contract runs out in just over 12 months time. It seems as though the curse is striking again - Arsenal have not won a trophy for 7 consecutive years, some fans becoming extremely frustrated in Arsene Wenger's stubbornness to change things and his consistently bad timing when it comes to signing players and trying to gel them together. It brings me to the three factors which may or may not be crucial in convincing the Premier League's top scorer in signing a new contract and in hope, winning a title in the coming years.

LOYALTY. Some say that loyalty is key in the van Persie saga. He has been made captain, Arsene Wenger kept faith in him during his many absentees, while players such as Carlos Vela have been frozen out to accommodate him in his new found star position. 

SIGNINGS. Despite Wenger struggling to attract star names and an unwillingness to spend over the odds for what the club needs, it seems as though from last summer he may have changed his ways. Lukas Podolski almost certainly on the way (replacement or partner??) and Yann M'vila reportedly on the verge of signing a pre-contract, the future could be bright for Arsenal and show van Persie that the club still has serious ambitions for the coming years.

AMBITION. One FA cup in his career at Arsenal is hardly the pinnacle of van Persie career, but consistent Champions League appearances and being a permanent fixture on the team sheet is sure to play an impact on his mind during the contract talks. Wenger is adamant that he will not let Robin go, but can he do enough to convince him - or risk losing a legend forever. 

My verdict? Robin van Persie will stay. We have shown intent for the future and have shown a foundation of a team that can challenge anyone in the world. If we can sign players, edit some tactics and rally together for next season, Arsenal can achieve anything. If he signs a new contract? Wenger will be nodding his head with delight once more.

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