Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Must Avoid Selling RVP to Man City

Arsenal is in the process of a massive overhaul this offseason, but the biggest key will be what happens with star player Robin van Persie.

The Dutch striker announced on his personal website this month that he will not re-sign with the team after next season. Although this does not create an ideal scenario for the Gunners, the club must sell the scorer to set up for the future.

Unfortunately, the potential suitors for van Persie include two of Arsenal's biggest rivals. 

Matt Law of Mirror Football reports that Manchester City bid £15 million for the forward. The club rejected the offer and believe that he is worth £20 million. This type of money can be used by Arsenal to reinvest in more players, but it might not be worth it to sell within the league.

The Gunners finished the 2011-2012 season in a distant third place behind Man City and Manchester United. Allowing one of these teams to acquire the leading scorer in the English Premier League might set Arsenal too far back to compete.

An alternative to these two top teams is Italian club Juventus. According to Mirror Football's David McDonnell, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes van Persie is more likely to choose Juventus or United instead of his club.

If the talented scorer ends up going to Juventus, Arsenal will not have to face him throughout the regular season.

With this summer's additions of forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, the team should be able to handle the scoring that will be missing when Robin van Persie leaves. If everyone plays to their abilities, they can get back to contending in the premier league.

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