Robin Van Persie: Arsenal Captain Can't Salvage Respect by Attending Training

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie can't and won't salvage much respect from Gunners fans by showing up at preseason training this summer. 

According to The Independent, van Persie returned to training with the club on Tuesday.

That's all well and good, but it does little to change the bitter feelings in fans' hearts after the 28-year-old striker announced that he will not extend his current contract with the club, which has one season left on it.

Van Persie has played for the club for eight years (since 2004) and has been there through countless ups and downs, along with manager Arsene Wenger. 

According to an ESPN.com report, van Persie would like to settle his football future as quickly as possible. 

That's probably the right mentality for van Persie to have, considering that he has already outraged the Arsenal faithful with his decision to move on. 

The Dutch forward excelled last season with Arsenal, scoring more goals than any other player in the English Premier League (30).

The reasons for van Persie wanting to leave a squad that finished third in the EPL last season can only be worthless. 

He likely has enough money to retire a rich man at this point in his career, and Arsenal has the pieces in place to, at the very least, contend with Europe's best. 

Although Arsenal's performance in the Round of 16 during UEFA Champions League play was disappointing, they are a legitimate contender with van Persie.

It's unfortunate for the veteran striker, but he can't avoid the negativity flying in his direction. Going to training with his Arsenal teammates fulfills his contract obligations but does little to salvage a shred of respect from the fans he has entertained and who have supported him for nearly the past decade. 

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