Robin Van Persie: Dutch Striker Would Ultimately Regret Arsenal Departure

It appears that Robin van Persie will shortly be transitioning from Gooner to goner, breaking the hearts of Arsenal fans everywhere and turning what was looking like a very promising 2012-13 campaign into a far tougher task for the squad.

He can talk about wanting to win trophies and lament Arsenal's constant talent drain, and I can understand where he is coming from. But in the end, I think he'll always regret his departure from the Emirates.

I'm a firm believer that messing with a good thing is a bad idea in sports, and van Persie manning the striker position for Arsenal has been a very good thing in the past two years.

Since the 2010-11 season, van Persie has 58 goals in 80 appearances for the Gooners, including the 30 he scored in Premier League play last season.

Will van Persie find the same chemistry he's developed with Arsenal teammates if he departs for Manchester City or Juventus? Would he adjust to Serie A after spending eight years in London?

And is it so far-fetched to think that Arsenal can compete for the league title and trophies next season?

I don't think so.

This is a team that overcame a dreadful, injury-riddled start to the season and finished third on the league table. Gervinho should be better in his second year at the club, and additions Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud should bolster an attack that was overly reliant on van Persie last season.

Sure, I'd love to see the team make another addition or two—we've been teased with Yann M'Vila talk for months now—but this is an Arsenal side that can compete with the big boys of European football as currently constructed.

And if van Persie were to lead Arsenal to a trophy or league title, he'd be an legendary Gooner for life. Can he really say that as one of Manchester United's new high-priced toys?

I'm not going to make the whole, "Hey, he should be loyal because Arsenal stuck with him through all of his injuries and struggles" argument. While I understand the sentiment, van Persie more than paid Arsenal back for its patience in the past two seasons.

He has the right to pursue the path he desires. I just happen to think his best option is to remain with Arsenal.

And I think if he in fact ends up leaving, he'll someday look back and feel the same way.

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