Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Robin van Persie Would Be Wise to Stick with Gunners

Robin van Persie is the best striker in the English Premier League. He could chase more money elsewhere, but the Dutch attacker would be wise to stay with the Gunners.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is confident his 37-goal performer will make the right choice. In Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport (per The Daily Mail) Wenger had this to say regarding van Persie's potential move to Serie A's Juventus.

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I am certain that Robin will remain with us. If you want to know why I am so certain is that Robin will remain with us is because there is no reason in this world why a great player like Van Persie should go and play for you, in Italy and in your competition. Your football (Serie A) is at an inferior level to the Premier League.

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Those are strong words from Wenger. But can you blame him?

He knows the Gunners have a very good chance of improving on last year's third-place finish in the EPL table. Signing Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski adds a ton of offensive talent to the fold, and Arsenal should score enough goals to chase down the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United. 

Let's take a look at why staying with the Gunners is the best thing for van Persie. 

Help Has Arrived

Van Persie didn't have much help on the Gunner attack last season. He notched 30 goals in EPL play (37 across all competitions), but no one else scored more than 10.

With one player scoring as much as he did, it can be tough to get other players involved. He is the lone striker atop their 4-2-3-1 formation, and he gets the majority of their scoring opportunities. 

Even so, he will benefit from Giroud's arrival. He will definitely score more than last year's second-leading scorer (Theo Walcott notched eight goals), and he could prompt a formation switch-up for Wenger's side. 

If van Persie just wants money and individual success, he should leave. But if he wants to win against the world's top competition, he will ignore his goal totals for the time being.

Adding Giroud may prompt Wenger to move to a 4-4-2 formation, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Podolski will flank the left side and Walcott will probably man the right side.

This will only make their attack stronger. Putting Giroud next to van Persie up top will form a two-pronged attack that few defenses will have an answer for. 

Van Persie may not score the same amount of goals with Arsenal's new additions, but don't you want to win? 

Reward the Effort

Arsenal has made a concerted effort to add talent this offseason. The additions can be interpreted in of two ways.

Gunner brass is trying to show Van Persie they are serious about winning, or they're putting a contingency plan in place should the Dutchman decide to take his talents elsewhere.

I'd like to think that Wenger and Arsenal's head honchos are making their best sales pitch to van Persie. 

Sure, things will be different but different isn't a bad thing in this instance. 

Arsenal has undoubtedly improved their side, and that should show van Persie how much they want him to continue taking the Emirates Stadium pitch.

He could take it the other way. Giroud's presence could be taken as a sign for van Persie to move on, but I don't think the Gunners held those intentions when they added the former Montpelier striker.

Ideally, van Persie and Giroud team up next season.

Staying put in London, scoring goals and (most importantly) winning against elite competition is van Persie's best option for next season.