Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Can't Afford to Lose Van Persie to Man City

Arsenal can't afford to lose its most recognizable and talented star—especially to a league rival—but that just might happen.

According to a report via Goal.com, Man City manager Roberto Mancini is open to the idea of signing Robin Van Persie should one of the forwards on the current roster choose to leave.

Van Persie's future has been widely speculated about, since he has been reluctant to commit to Arsenal long-term. He's been with Arsenal since the 2004-05 season, but he cited his desire for more team success as a reason for a potential move to another club.

Should Van Persie elect to leave Arsenal, it doesn't make a great statement for the future of the club.

Van Persie has long been the face of Arsenal. Anytime the face of your club wants to go elsewhere because he isn't confident you can win at a high level, there is definitely cause for concern.

Van Persie is coming off of a season in which he scored 30 goals, racked up 13 assists and was far and away the best player on the club. At 28 years old, it can be assumed that he is in his prime and is capable of putting up many more seasons of similar caliber in the near future.

For an Arsenal team that sported one of the best records in the EPL last season at 21-10-7—one that's probably a piece away from contending for the EPL championship—the loss of the league's top scorer in his prime, especially to a top competitor, could set the club back years in terms of development. It's not like there are players of Van Persie's caliber lining up to take his place.

If Arsenal wishes to be a major player in the EPL for years to come, they need to do whatever they can to make sure that Van Persie is happy. That means matching any offer thrown his way and bringing in whoever they can to ensure both Van Persie and the fans that they are committed to winning.