Arsenal Transfer News: Robin Van Persie's Desire to Leave Gunners Is Acceptable

It's always comforting to know that a professional athlete has aspirations of glory rather than aspirations of wealth.

According the the Daily Mirror, Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has not allowed the team to make an offer because he is more interested in winning trophies than money.

I love it. Not because I have anything against Arsenal, or because my allegiance lies elsewhere, but because it's nice to see a renowned professional athlete pass up an inordinate amount of money so he can win some silverware.

As per the Daily Mirror article, "Robin van Persie has told Arsenal that no amount of money can keep him at the Emirates if the club cannot convince him they will win trophies."

Van Persie has just one year on his contract, and the Gunners are willing to offer the Dutchman £130,000 a week, as well as a £5 million-a-year signing-on fee.

This situation could be Arsene Wenger's worst nightmare, as it has been reported that Manchester City is prepared to offer the star striker £20 million to lure him away from Emirates.

Van Persie has to know that he'll be an integral piece of whatever club he could possibly sign with. He netted 30 goals in this Premier League season, but he has just one FA Cup medal at Arsenal and is looking to take his talents elsewhere unless Arsenal can convince him that they are taking the right steps toward winning more silverware.

They have taken at least one step towards that end with their signing of Lukas Podolski, but apparently, even that hasn't done much to sway Van Persie.

The Gunners had a decently successful campaign in 2012, finishing third in the league with 70 points. Unfortunately, they finished 19 points behind Manchester United and Manchester City. The team finished ahead of Chelsea, who won the championship, but Van Persie is not sure that Arsenal can realistically compete with the three teams next year.

Van Persie has long been a powerhouse in his eight-year stretch with the organization, but he's made his money and must realize that he will eventually run out of time to put together a collection of trophies. He's 28 years old, which isn't old yet, but three or four years goes by quickly, and by the time he's 32, he'll be nearing the twilight of his career. 

While the twilight of Van Persie's career will certainly be more impressive than that of most other players on the decline, he will not be around forever. Once he's hung up his boots and steps off the pitch for the final time, money won't be on his mind. What will be on his mind, though, is the fact that he only has one winner's medal in his career (if he stays at Arsenal and doesn't win another).

So, while this may not be what the Arsenal faithful want to hear, good for Robin Van Persie. It's great that he wants to pass up the money, as well as the only team he's known for eight years, to win some medals. Because, after all, money can't buy happiness, but a nice Premier League trophy can.