Robin van Persie reveals contract ‘facts’ that led to Arsenal departure

Robin van Persie has revealed the “facts” behind his controversial move from Arsenal to Manchester United in 2012.

The now retired Dutch marksman ended an eight-year association with the Gunners to head to Old Trafford, leading to incredible resentment among supporters.

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His subsequent switch to Manchester, which saw Arsenal receive £27m, proved successful with Van Persie not only lifting the Premier League title but finishing as top scorer in his debut season.

However, that campaign ended with legendary Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson stepping down, which – according to former United teammate Patrice Evra – affected Van Persie as the Dutchman primarily joined to work under the Scotsman.

Van Persie would remain at Old Trafford a further two seasons before joining Turkish giants Fenerbahçe and then returning home to boyhood club Feyenoord where he retired earlier this year.

But it’s that headline-grabbing transfer seven years ago that still burns in people’s mind and Van Persie, who recently stepped into the world of punditry, gave an insight to what really was taking place.

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“You can compare [me being at Arsenal] to being married. Me and my wife – Arsenal – were married for eight years. After eight years, my wife, possibly got a bit tired of me. Those are the facts,” he told BT Sport.

“If Arsenal are not offering you a new deal… you can have different views on things but the fact is Arsenal never offered me a new deal.”

Despite conducting several discussions with former manager Arsene Wenger and other members of the Arsenal hierarchy, it seems that the offer of a new deal was not forthcoming, which prompted the “ambitious” striker to look elsewhere.

“What people don’t know, during the transfer, loads of things are happening behind the scenes,” Van Persie added. “You have to take a lot on and make a choice based on what your targets are but also deal with the facts.

“One of the main facts was that Arsenal got tired of me. That was the starting point – they didn’t offer me a new deal.

“We had loads of chats with Wenger, with [Ivan] Gazidis. They gave me no decision to make.”

Van Persie drama: Five key things to know…

• Van Persie joined Arsenal from boyhood club Feyenoord in 2004.
• He subsequently went on to make 280 appearances, registering 132 goals and creating 55 more.
• However, in 2012, the Dutchman made a controversial move to rivals Man Utd.
• Van Persie says that Arsenal got tired of him and didn’t offer him a new deal.
• Across 105 games for Man Utd he scored 58 times and won an elusive Premier League in his first season.