Just over a year ago, Arsenal’s talisman Robin van Persie signed for old rivals Manchester United. Just ten months later, the Dutchman lifted the Premier League trophy, and his goals were instrumental in a campaign that saw United stroll to the title.
As Robin kissed the trophy that he waited so long to get his hands on, he no doubt felt safe in the knowledge that he made the right choice to move to United. Just a few months later, and the future is not necessarily so peachy for Van Persie, or for that matter United.
An indifferent start under new manager David Moyes does not bode well for United, especially when their competition for the Premier League title is considered.
United were so solid under Alex Ferguson’s guidance, that he could weather any storm the media could conjure up. Whether or not Moyes can imitate his predecessors’ feat, remains to be seen. If he can’t, United face the prospect of slipping down the table as their closest rivals sense the opportunity to climb the pantheon of English football. Manchester United’s worst ever finish in the Premier League is third, and I personally think Moyes will do well to guide them to third in his maiden season at the Old Trafford helm.
If and when United do stumble from their perch, old foes Arsenal would undoubtedly be one of those in line to benefit. Arsenal won’t win the title; Chelsea and Manchester City will have too much for them. But if United slip down and are vying with them for third or fourth place, the longevity and experience that Wenger has instilled in the club will give them the edge over United.
Wenger has shown his experience in rallying his troops after an opening day defeat to Aston Villa that had fans incensed with the Frenchman’s recruitment policy. And of course signing Mesut Özil on transfer deadline day has changed the feeling around the club. Arsenal’s form since their defeat to Villa has been imperious, winning every game, whereas United have only scored from open play in one Premier League game so far.
Early days, yes, but not encouraging signs for Van Persie, who no doubt thought when he signed for United that Sir Alex would be around for more than just a solitary season. Van Persie was, in Ferguson’s eyes, the missing piece of the puzzle, but did the Dutchman see it like that?
Van Persie scored in each game against Arsenal last season; neither game (especially the second) held earth-moving significance in terms of the league but Van Persie still respectfully declined to celebrate. The Dutchman may find himself in an entirely different predicament this season and Arsenal fans will be the first to taunt him should Arsenal assume a position above United in the footballing pedestal as they enter the post-Ferguson era.
Arsenal have made a good start to this season, and currently sit above United in the table, and United currently face a tricky list of fixtures. As we all know though, Arsenal are prone to lapses in form that tend to cost them dear, and, even a Mesut Özil inspired Arsenal side are unlikely to win the league this year, especially when their lack of strength in depth and their opposition are considered.
Come the end of the season though, will Van Persie wish he picked up the phone to Manchester City or Juventus instead of United? What United offered Van Persie was a quick fix; they were a match made in heaven last season as Van Persie’s goals carried an average United side to the title.
Considering Van Persie’s age, many people will say he made the right choice in joining United; no player of his caliber in the Premier League should be allowed to reach 30 without having won the title. But will United’s transitional phase leave Van Persie wondering if he could have won more when he decides to retire? Only time will tell for the prolific Dutchman.