Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Will Fight for Title If Robin Van Persie Stays

Robin van Persie has Arsenal on the edge of their seats.

To the dismay of the Gunners and their fans, there’s no guarantee that the superstar striker will rock a red uniform next season. If van Persie does choose to stick around in Holloway, Arsenal would be able to contend for a Barclays Premier League title. But if he spurns them for a rival, they’ll plummet in the standings.

Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail reported a supposed link of van Persie’s to Manchester City yet again on Tuesday. The headline: “Wenger preparing for life without star man with unfulfilled Van Persie set to jet off to Man City.” If that doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of fans, I don’t know what will.

Arsenal just signed Olivier Giroud. This is a footballer that recorded 21 goals and nine assists for Montpellier in Ligue 1 action last season. Side by side with van Persie, the Gunner duo would definitely do some damage next year.

Van Persie racked up a whopping 30 goals and nine assists in the 2011-2012 campaign. Arsenal’s next most productive player was Theo Walcott with just eight goals and eight assists. Despite van Persie being a one-man wrecking crew, the Gunners still finished ranked third in the league table.

If they’re capable of achieving that much success with van Persie putting the team on his back, just imagine what they could do with Giroud playing Robin to his Batman. Arsenal would be special.

Mark Gilbert of The Sun reported that Giroud doesn’t believe he was signed to replace van Persie. He said:

"

When you make the decision to join a great club, you know there is already a great forward. I know what to expect. Van Persie is a fantastic player who was outstanding last season. He has been at Arsenal for eight years, I hope I will have time to adapt and improve. Anyway, I don’t go there to take his place.

"

Van Persie’s decision will shape the face of the EPL next season. Whomever he plays for, Man City or Arsenal, will be in position to contend for a title.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels