Transfer Centre

Robin van Persie opens up on Arsenal exit

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 21 April 2020

Former Netherlands international Robin van Persie reveals that he has regrets over the way in which he ended his Arsenal career in 2012.

Robin van Persie has claimed that he should not have written an open letter to Arsenal supporters after signing for Manchester United.

Before leaving the Emirates Stadium in 2012, Van Persie had spent eight years with the Gunners, scoring 132 goals from 281 appearances in all competitions.

Given the criticism which he received when opting to move to Old Trafford, Van Persie penned an open letter which was published in the press, citing reasons for his controversial transfer to one of Arsenal's biggest rivals.

However, having had time to reflect on the situation, the Dutchman has acknowledged that he has regrets over how he tried to communicate with fans.

Speaking to The High Performance Podcast, the 36-year-old said: "It was not only between me and Arsene Wenger, there was more happening with Ivan [Gazidis] of course and the way he behaved and the way he handled the whole situation.

"If I look back at that whole situation, I have to look at myself as well, where I could have done better or could have done something differently. If I look back, that open letter I shouldn't have done that.

"If I look back at that, in such a delicate, difficult situation of making a transfer after spending so much time at Arsenal, to make a decision to write an open letter to tell my truth in two pages was impossible. I think back then it went to the newspaper because there was not social media. So I did that, and that was because I was disappointed with Ivan and his behaviour.

"But I could not go into detail about what exactly back then, because it's just impossible to tell the whole story behind it. And partly it was the fact that Arsenal did not offer me a new deal. So if I look back at that, I should have done that better."

In the season after his departure, Van Persie netted 26 times for United, helping United win the Premier League title.