Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie finally explained his reasons for swapping the Emirates Stadium to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 2012.
The Flying Dutchman was the Captain and top scorer at Arsenal at the time of the move which left many fans surprised. Van Persie, however, explained that Arsene Wenger did not offer him a new contract which left him with two options, move to Manchester United or Manchester City.
The statement has however been strongly criticized by Arsenal fans as the player released an open letter prior to the move stating that after a long hard think, he has decided not to renew his Arsenal contract. That contradicts his explanation of not being offered a new contract.
Arsenal fans were clearly not happy..
I don't believe any of that crap Van Persie was saying. Why would Arsenal not offer their best player a new contract? Van Persie is a traitor and will forever be that in the eyes of Arsenal fans, no matter what stories he makes up
— Ryan🔴⚪ (@AFC_Ryan__) August 18, 2019
Robin van Persie on BT Sport yesterday: "Arsenal never offered me a contract extension, that is a fact that Arsenal fans have to accept."
Yet, this was the statement he put out when he decided to leave Arsenal for Manchester United. Interesting. 👀 pic.twitter.com/hItTJSTUP8
— 360Sources (@360Sources) August 18, 2019
Say what you like, Van Persie remains a traitor and a biarrchh.
He never wanted a new contract. pic.twitter.com/EDjsSsXMYF— E L O N E L (@iam_elonel) August 18, 2019
In an open letter to fans on his website Van Persie wrote:
“I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract”
Arsenal issued a statement later in the day: "We have to respect Robin's decision
Stop lying you snake!#VanPersie
— OnlyOneARSENEWENGER (@BOSSWENGER1996) August 17, 2019
Judas Van Persie in the BT Studio is a farce
— John Cooney AFC 💎 (@johncooney1) August 17, 2019
So Van Persie said we didn't offer him a new contract, I wouldn't trust anything that snake says.
— Naz (@Naz_AFC1) August 17, 2019
Van Persie went on to win the Premier League with Manchester United the following season and was also the League’s Top Scorer. He has since retired from football and now works as a pundit for BT Sport.