Robin van Persie: Should He Stay at Arsenal or Head to Manchester City?

The transfer season is always full of ridiculous rumours, but this season, one developing story has the potential to leave lasting effects on the English Premier League.

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has refused to commit his future to the Gunners, amid widespread speculation that he is contemplating a move to a club with more recent silverware, such as current English champions Manchester City.

This time last year, Arsenal was embroiled in a similarly messy and protracted situation, with both captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri forcing their way through the Emirates exit door.

In order to avoid a repeat of these long-winded disputes, Arsenal will be hoping their star striker can come to a hasty decision over his playing future.

The Daily Mail reports the Gunners have offered van Persie an improved deal, but should the prolific striker accept the deal or leave north London for greener pastures? 

He Should Stay at Arsenal

The 2011/12 version of Robin van Persie has been prolific, pouring in 30 Premier League goals. However, the Dutchman has not always performed so consistently; since he arrived at Arsenal in 2004, van Persie has missed at least 10 games each season. Even during the difficult times, Arsene Wenger stuck by his target man, and Van Persie must feel a sense of obligation to his manager.

The Gunners have not had a huge amount of success in recent years, though the future at the Emirates is beginning to look up. Arsenal has a great contingent of young talent, headlined by Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey and backed up by Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With these potential stars leading the way, the coming years look promising for Arsenal.

The team that Arsene Wenger puts on the pitch every weekend is built around Robin van Persie. On several occasions this season, the dynamic Dutchman put his team on his back and propelled them to victory single-handedly. Although Lukas Podolski will shortly link up with Arsenal, there is no doubt that van Persie will still be the main man.

If van Persie does decide to trade his Arsenal red for Manchester City sky blue, he will be vying for places with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez. For a man who has become accustomed to being the first name on the team sheet, this would be a daunting proposition.

He Should Head to Manchester City

The majority of footballers play for two reasons: glory and wealth. It is fair to say that if Robin van Persie is indeed chasing these goals, he is more likely to find what he is looking for at Manchester City than at Arsenal. 

Arsenal's owners have steadfastly backed their rigid wage structure in the past, frustrating fans and players alike. For van Persie, they may make an exception, although it is doubtful that an offer made by the Gunners will be able to match one coming his way from City.

As for on-field success, Arsene Wenger has repeatedly shown faith in developing young players, rarely splashing big money for established stars (although the signing of Lukas Podolski may signal a change to this philosophy). This tactic has not proved overly fruitful in recent times, with the club's last trophy coming in the form of the 2005 FA Cup.

What Will RVP Decide?

Robin van Persie is 28, in the prime of his career.

The next few years will define him as a player. Will he be remembered as a frustrated genius, toiling away but ultimately failing to lead Arsenal to the glory he so desperately craves? Or will he be revered in the blue half of Manchester as the man who proved an integral part of City's growing status as a world football superpower?

Only time will tell.