Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Must Find Replacement for Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie is as good as gone from the Arsenal side. The club cannot be caught licking their wounds, or chasing an impossible dream. Former vice chairman David Dein has told Goal.com that he believes the dynamic striker will not return.

Van Persie has already stated that he will not be signing a new contract, and he would be free to go via uncompensated transfer after this season. Arsenal must get this show on the road sooner than later.

They don't need to have this saga hanging over the club's head all year.

If Arsenal sits flat-footed and isn't aggressive about acquiring his successor, the overall strength of the club will suffer. Arsene Wenger has already signed 17-year-old Baye Niang from Caen.

While he has talent, he is still a ways away from being the type of force van Persie was.

Van Persie scored 38 goals in 52 starts. Niang may reach that level at some point, but he isn't there yet. The Gunners would be wise to pursue a veteran presence to assume such a pivotal role.

Though the door is technically still open for van Persie to return, Arsenal can't waste time trying to woo him.

It seems quite obvious that he is set on leaving. Even entertaining the possibility of playing for Manchester City should tell the club he has detached himself from them.

In these types of player/club situations, the party that acts first is genuinely at an advantage. Van Persie is sitting pretty right now and in order for Arsenal to salvage something of this predicament, they must act quickly.

The less relevant they can make van Persie's presence, the better it is for them. It should help precipitate his move, sooner than later.

Going into preparation for the upcoming season, the organization needs to know who's in and who's out.

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