Arsenal Transfer News: What RVP's Spot on Preseason Tour Means for His Future

According to an article from The Mirror, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is set to begin training with the club on Monday, and is set to join the Gunners on their preseason tour of Asia.

The tour, which begins with a training session on July 23rd, is set to run through the end of July, and will pit Arsenal against a variety of Asian clubs, as well as one familiar foe.

According to Arsenal.com, the Gunners will face off against Malaysia XI, Kitchee FC and the reigning English Premier League champions, Manchester City.

With a preseason tilt against City looming, could van Persie end up being a massive distraction on an otherwise calm tour?

With Manchester City a rumored landing spot for the Dutch national, the club's summer tour of Asia could quickly turn into turmoil, with van Persie the subject of daily transfer speculation (via The Mirror).

Van Persie's spot on the tour would appear to solidify at least some commitment to the Gunners in the short-term, but as the Mirror mentions, Samir Nasri disproved similar speculation last summer:

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Arsenal are scheduled to travel to Malaysia next Saturday and club sources have stressed that, as things stand, van Persie should be on the flight and could play against City in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium on July 27.

Samir Nasri was put in a similar position last year.

He was part of Arsenal’s tour and even played in the first game against Liverpool ­before joining City on ­August 24.

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It's clear that boss Arsene Wenger will stop at nothing to keep the 2011-2012 FWA Footballer of the Year with Arsenal, but bringing him on the tour may cause more of a distraction than anything else.

The next week will certainly be crucial to the development of van Persie's future with the club, but should he accompany the team on their preseason tour, he would be wise to stay out of the limelight.

Although van Persie is crucial to the Gunners' championship aspirations, the rest of the club's development hinges on focus, and this tour will afford them an opportunity to do so. In the end, van Persie may only complicate things. 

What do you think? Should van Persie join the team in Asia as they prep for the season? Comment with your thoughts below.