Robin Van Persie: 10 Potential Replacements for Arsenal If He Goes

Robin Van Persie has been Arsenal's main goalscorer this season as the club has struggled to adapt to the loss of the heart of their midfield. 

With Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri bolting out the proverbial door from North London, Jack Wilshere out until January recovering from an ankle injury and Gael Clichy joining Nasri at Manchester City, Arsenal have looked pretty bare bones as far as squad depth goes.

One could argue that there is a lot of talent based in the Gunners; the problem is is that there is little experience to go with this amount of talent possessed. 

Recently appointed captain van Persie, though, has shouldered the workload and amassed a great collection of goals this season, to hopefully help in the healing process for Arsenal. 

There is a problem, though. 

Manchester City are interested in the prolific Dutchman. They like his style of play and his eye for goal. One could wonder why the one squad with the most depth up front would want ANOTHER striker to add to the squad, but I'm sure stranger things have happened. 

If van Persie is tempted by the promise of silverware and goads of cash to go along with it, Arsenal could be in even more trouble. 

If he ends up leaving the North London side, then Arsenal are going to need a major goalscorer to replace him in the January transfer window. 

Here are some candidates that could fill his spot and possibly do one better for Arsenal. 

Didier Drogba

The 33-year-old Ivory Coast international has not had the stellar start to the season as he has in season's past. 

Drogba still has a lot of his skill base, finesse and power that has had him excel at the highest level against some of the world's toughest opponents, but with new coach Andre Villas-Boas looking to make a regime change, Drogba and his age could be on the way out of Stamford Bridge. 

A potential landing for him could be at the Emirates. If van Persie goes, Drogba would be an excellent target forward to put up top and add the clinical finishing to the total, sweeping Arsenal build-up plays that is so desperately needed at times. 

He has already had a link to the club denied by Arsene Wenger, but if he is willing to exchange a pay cut for play time, he would probably be more than welcome to join the Gunners side. 

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been on fire for Real Madrid. 

After having not started for the side for the majority of last season, and with the possibility of being out of favor, looking for another squad to play for, Benzema was linked to Arsenal during the transfer window over the summer. 

Though, whatever truth to that link there was, the deal ultimately did not come to, and the French forward came into his own again during the Galacticos' preseason and fell back into the starting 11. 

If van Persie did leave for Moneybags City, then Arsenal could be able to cover the transfer fee for this forward, a forward that Wenger has had his eye on for quite a while. 

Benzema could come into more of his own at Arsenal as well.

There are so many stars that play for Real Madrid, it is easy to forget about the mercurial French forward with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Özil and Kaká on the team. 

Peter Odemwingie

Peter Odemwingie is a 30-year-old Russian-born Nigerian international forward who plays for the Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. 

This slightly unsettled forward has seen his playing time cut short due to the fact that a brilliant, younger talent, namely Shane Long, has been brought in to help West Brom survive in the EPL. 

If van Persie were to leave, this unsettled forward could be brought to the Emirates for a much smaller fee than Benzema or Drogba, potentially leaving room for another forward to be brought in as well. 

Though slightly out of the preferred age bracket that Arsene Wenger usually shoots for, Odemwingie could flourish at the North London side with their brilliant, pace-altering plays and stellar passing to feed the Nigerian and his scoring ability. 

Shane Long

Shane Long is a 24-year-old Irish international who has flourished under the pressures of Premier League play. 

With his first goal of the new season coming against Manchester United, Long has been impressive with his speedy runs and clinical finishing. 

After moving to West Brom from Reading this past summer for a report £4.5m, Long has looked like a buy well worth his price.

Arsenal could pounce on this forward if van Persie moved on. Though not a huge headlining name like Drogba or Benzema, Long could fit into the side as a hard-working, ball-winning forward that adds that deadly edge to Arsenal's attack. 

With the promise of Champions League play abound for the Irishman, he could easily slip into the side and provide a superior eye for goal that Arsenal so readily need in this time of rebuilding. 

Dimitar Berbatov

Though insistent that he has plans for the Bulgarian international, Sir Alex Ferguson has let one of the more unusual talents in the English game slip down the pecking order at Manchester United. 

Berbatov is often referred to as "lazy" and "bored-looking" by many analysts of the beautiful game. 

No one can deny the fact that this forward can score goals, though. As bored as he may look, Berbatov tied for top goalscorer in the English Premier League with Argentinean bulldog Carlos Tevez. 

That is some talent, being able to be lazy and still out-score world renowned scorers like Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba.

I believe Berbatov could fit in the Arsenal squad, though.

A move directly from Manchester United to Arsenal might raise a few eyebrows, but a move like that could be good for the Bulgarian, as he has fallen out of favor behind Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck and even former Liverpool player Michael Owen. 

His goal-scoring ability would be well received if captain van Persie opts for the blue side of Manchester, though. 

Federico Macheda

Federico Macheda is an Italian international who also hails from Manchester United, like Berbatov. 

The problem for him, though, is that he is even further down in the list for Red Devil forwards than Berbatov. 

Having only made one appearance for the Red Devils this season, after a lackluster loan spell at a relegated Sampdoria side, Macheda opted to stay in England and battle for his spot in the starting eleven. 

Thus far into the season, his efforts seem to have gone unrecognized. 

A good place for the 20-year-old to head to would be to Arsenal. 

With Robin van Persie gone, the young forward could flourish under the guidance of manager Arsene Wenger, as he would look to establish himself and his name among the elite goal scoring threats in Europe. 

Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan is a Uruguayan international and current forward for struggling Inter Milan side. 

With Nerazzurri struggling to make results happen in Serie A, Forlan could opt out of the struggling Italian side and bolt for England. 

As unlikely as this move is, with the potential money that could be raked in from a van Persie sale, Forlan could be tempted to return to England as a much better forward than whence he departed from Manchester United several seasons ago, failing to impress. 

The 2010 World Cup Golden Boot winner would be welcomed into the London side, as he has been known for his sharp poaching ability in front of the net, a talent that has not really been seen at Arsenal since the days of Thierry Henry.

Carlos Tevez

Ah, yes. Carlos Tevez, the Argentinean international, morally suspended player at Manchester City. 

He seems to continue to throw fits or has been known to throw fits about transferring out of Manchester for some time. It would only make sense if he were to go to Arsenal. 

I know what you're thinking, though. A move like this would be madness for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners, as he is way too expensive and way too unstable of a player to be added to the side. 

That may be the case at this point in time, but Tevez is a genuinely good player. He was tied for the top goal scorer in the Premier League last year. He's been known to speed around the pitch, challenging the defenders to every single ball for the entirety of a game. 

Not to mention that the man can score goals. 

Under Wenger's guidance, I believe the troubles from his stays at United and City could be put behind. Tevez could really flourish with a side that would be without a true goal poacher in front of goal, if van Persie were to leave. 

It may cost the Gunners a pretty penny, but it could pay dividends for a side looking to continue their climb up the Premiership standings. 

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is a very interesting character. 

After conflicts with coach Roberto Mancini, Balotelli has slipped down the pecking order at City, with extremely good players like Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and even players like Adam Johnson playing ahead of him. 

Balotelli has been a controversial figure in his stay, with his selfishness being well-published. His tenacity and talent, though, is something that cannot be simply overlooked. 

As another out-of-favor figure at Etihad Stadium, Balotelli could make a move to a van Persie-less Arsenal side and make a real player out of himself. Show what he truly has a soccer player rather than sit back on the goads of cash that he rakes in every week at City. 

It's a highly unlikely move, but stranger things have happened. 

Neymar

For those  of you who haven't heard, Neymar is a pretty good, rather young Brazilian soccer player. 

Oh, you have heard that? 

I thought you might have. 

Neymar is linked with the biggest clubs in Europe, those being Real Madrid and Barcelona. There is even interest from mega-rich Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. 

Neymar could make a move of real interest to his career and take his talents to England, where his name would truly blow up, more specifically, to Arsenal. 

I know that Arsenal don't really seem like the side for him, but, with the Gunners, Neymar could stand out and flourish. Especially with the genius of Arsene Wenger there to help build his already burgeoning career. 

Wenger took the talents of Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas and crafted them into what they are known as today. Wenger could very much do the same with the Brazilian starlet if van Persie makes a big money move to the Citizens. 

In Conclusion...

No one at the North London club wants to see their captain leave, especially having been cut off from the last one rather ungraciously. 

With van Persie's contract talks stalling and his career reaching its peak, he could look to make a big money move to a side that have a more appealing appealing prospect to score some trophies. 

As upsetting as it would be, all would not be lost, though. There are options out there for Arsenal.

All that needs to happen is some wheeling and dealing by the Gunners to potentially cover for the loss of their mercurial Dutch captain.