ROBIN VAN PERSIE could not have imagined such a spectacular fall from grace.
The Dutch hitman, 29, is now poised to sign for bitter rivals Manchester
United before the weekend.
And after telling the Arsenal fans who once so idolised him that he would not
re-sign for the club, he has swiftly been replaced in their affections by
Lukas Podolski.
In the Gunners last friendly in Cologne before Saturday’s league opener at
home to Sunderland, Van Persie faced the fans for the first time since
writing his goodbye note.
And ignored by the faithful, he had to listen to Podolski’s name being
chanted.
It started the moment the £11million German striker delivered his maiden
Gunners’ goal 15 minutes into his debut.
When Podolski blasted a second in the 4-0 win, the tributes began again. At
the death, Van Persie got near the Arsenal fans and only boos rained down.
After the Cologne game, Van Persie emerged long after the entire Arsenal party
had gone.
He snubbed the media and looked bewildered until someone lead him to a waiting
car to whisk him away to join up with the Dutch squad.
If this proves to be Van Persie last Gunners game it was hugely symbolic — he
was left behind as Arsenal moved on.
Meanwhile, Podolski promised fans there is much more to come from him.
The striker said: “I hope I can score a lot of goals and make some assists and
help the club to go up in the Premier League.
“The passing and the movement of the team is very good it is a good match.
"This is what I want and this is what I like. I like to pass quickly and
without the ball, play and go.
"This is my style of football and we play this style.”
Arsenal’s England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is racing to be fit for the
Sunderland clash after injuring his ankle.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE could not have imagined such a spectacular fall from grace.
The Dutch hitman, 29, is now poised to sign for bitter rivals Manchester United before the weekend.And after telling the Arsenal fans who once so idolised him that he would not re-sign for the club, he has swiftly been replaced in their affections by Lukas Podolski.
In the Gunners last friendly in Cologne before Saturday’s league opener at home to Sunderland, Van Persie faced the fans for the first time since writing his goodbye note.
And ignored by the faithful, he had to listen to Podolski’s name being chanted.
It started the moment the £11million German striker delivered his maiden Gunners’ goal 15 minutes into his debut.
When Podolski blasted a second in the 4-0 win, the tributes began again. At the death, Van Persie got near the Arsenal fans and only boos rained down.
After the Cologne game, Van Persie emerged long after the entire Arsenal party had gone.
He snubbed the media and looked bewildered until someone lead him to a waiting car to whisk him away to join up with the Dutch squad.
If this proves to be Van Persie last Gunners game it was hugely symbolic — he was left behind as Arsenal moved on.
Meanwhile, Podolski promised fans there is much more to come from him.
The striker said: “I hope I can score a lot of goals and make some assists and help the club to go up in the Premier League.
“The passing and the movement of the team is very good it is a good match.
"This is what I want and this is what I like. I like to pass quickly and without the ball, play and go.
"This is my style of football and we play this style.”
Arsenal’s England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is racing to be fit for the Sunderland clash after injuring his ankle.