I love Arsenal

[Popey]

Robin van Persie: I declined moves to Chelsea and Manchester City because I love Arsenal

Robin van Persie spurned the chance to leave Arsenal because of his fondness for the north London club.

Four teams - believed to be Chelsea, Manchester City, Juventus and Inter Milan - expressed interest in the Netherlands international, but he revealed: 'It's not as easy to leave Arsenal as you maybe think.'

The Gunners are without a trophy since winning the 2005 FA Cup - to date Van Persie's only major trophy with the club and a statistic which contributed to the departures of players including Mathieu Flamini.

But Van Persie, who signed from Feyenoord in 2004, said in the News of the World: 'It is good that four teams were really interested in me but I had to turn them down.

'Even if you want to leave, as a player, I don't think it is easy because when you move to Arsenal you are led there by your heart.'

Van Persie has been out since November with an ankle injury incurred while playing for Holland and he believes his fitness record has hindered his development into a great of the game.

'Everything starts with your fitness and some players are lucky like that,' the 26-year-old added.

'I hate it but I can't do anything about it because this is my situation. When you look at great players, they are always fit, always sharp.

'When you play 50 games a season, you can score more goals and get more assists, so it follows that you are more important to the team.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z0fX4sOK28

[Massa]

Love you too Robin.

[Fordy]

lol where exactly did he say he turned down Chelsea and city

[GunnGunn]

The same article in the Sun had him directly quoting Chavski and Man City.

[Arsenal Tone]

Who cares, Flamini and Hleb both claimed to love the club and said how they loved the camaraderie in the squad...

...then left at the end of the season!

[GunnGunn]

If you've ever watched an RvP interview you would know that he has supported Arsenal since he was a boy.

[Sims]

If Cesc does happen to leave at the end of the season, I would want Robin as my captain. The most passionate member of the Arsenal squad.

[GunnGunn]

Who cares, Flamini and Hleb both claimed to love the club and said how they loved the camaraderie in the squad...

...then left at the end of the season!

Did it ever occured to you that he signed a new deal this season? I know it means f**k all if he wants to leave but it does show some intent.
Gunn is right - He is one of our most passionate players and love the club.

I would take RvP's word over Fabregas's in regards to staying at the club any day.

WE are his dream club, he said it before he arrived, he said it when he arrived, he still says it to this day.

Has anyone ever wondered why the media don't hardly ever bother to try and unsettle him? Because they know that its a waste of paper.

With Fabregas, there will always be something in it for them, just because Barcelona constantly tap him up.

[Goose]

I love you too man

[TheGeneral]

I love you too man

This.

And had it not been for his injuries, I'd even go as far as saying he'd be regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

[Massa]

I think he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

[gooner90]

lets hope next season he gets much more playing time rather than injuries, hes 1 of the players who gets on with things and doesnt bring up stuff about transfer rumours etc, hes 1 that will stay with the club i feel

[TheGeneral]

I think he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

By us Arsenal fans perhaps, but he's rarely mentioned in the same breath as Rooney, Torres, Villa and Drogba by anyone outside of the club.