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Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has shockingly claimed that Arsenal did not offer him a new contract in 2012 which led to him seeking a move elsewhere.
The Dutch striker was branded a “snake” and a “traitor” when he left the Gunners for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in a £24million move on this day in August 2012.
Van Persie likened his Arsenal exit to separating with his wife and claims his ‘wife, Arsenal, got a bit tired of me’
Speaking to BT Sport in his new role as an on-screen pundit, the 36-year-old finally opened up on the details of the move, insisting that then Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had failed to offer him a new contract.
Robin van Persie signed for Manchester United in August 2012
“You can compare [me being at Arsenal] to being married. Me and my wife – Arsenal – were married for eight years.
“After eight years, my wife, possibly got a bit tired of me. Those are the facts.
“If Arsenal are not offering you a new deal… you can have different views on things but the fact is Arsenal never offered me a new deal.
“Then you have a look around. I was ambitious. I still wanted to win the league. That is life.
“I ended up having three options. One option abroad disappeared quickly. Then it was City or Manchester United.
Robin van Persie netted 37 goals for Arsenal in his final season
“What people don’t know, during the transfer, loads of things are happening behind the scenes. You have to take a lot on and make a choice based on what your targets are but also deal with the facts.
“One of the main facts was that Arsenal got tired of me. That was the starting point – they didn’t offer me a new deal.
“We had loads of chats with Wenger, with [former Arsenal chief executive Ivan] Gazidis. They gave me no decision to make.”
Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, Van Persie went on to lift the Premier League in his debut season with Manchester United.
