A Nicolas Tagliafico 35th-minute own goal decided an untidy match in Amsterdam as the Reds’ dug in for only their second clean sheet in 13 European games. “In 2012, he announced his intention not to extend his contract,” says Wenger in his new book ‘Arsene Wenger: My Life in Red and White’. Therefore, United let him go in 2015, when there was still one year left on his contract. The Dutch star has enjoyed a …

I sold him to Manchester United. I had only the interest of the club in mind. He won the Premier League title there in his first season. Van Persie was public enemy number one among the Arsenal fan base after his hugely successful eight-year spell at the club came to an acrimonious end in the summer of 2012 after joining Manchester United. Van Persie joined Fenerbahce in Turkey – but it could have been different. Van Persie enjoyed a successful spell under Wenger … Van Persie was approaching the twilight of his career by then, though, and while reaching double figures in each of the next two seasons, he scored less in those combined than he had in his first year at Old Trafford. Van Persie had sparked fury among the Gunners fans by joining rivals Manchester United in order to lay his hands on the Premier League and European titles. Date published: Thursday 22nd October 2020 9:15. “For me, in the first hour, it was a joy to watch Mane. Robin van Persie admits that he had one reservation about joining Manchester United prior to his switch in 2012. Arsene Wenger has revealed that Robin van Persie personally contacted him in a bid to secure a return to Arsenal in 2015, but he turned the Dutchman down. “But after three years of the four that he signed for, he was injured and (Louis) Van Gaal sold him to the Turkish club Fenerbahce.

But following Ferguson’s retirement, two years later Van Persie was a peripheral figure at the club and looking for a transfer. The Dutch striker scored 132 goals in 278 games for the Gunners. Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger joins Alan Brazil, Ally McCoist and Jamie O’Hara tomorrow from 9am. “All the big clubs were courting him. This service is provided on talkSPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy. “He was yelling to his team-mates to go out on every single duel, he was really good on the ball, confident. He played a starring role in his first season at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson’s tutelage as United won a 13th Premier League title. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Arsene Wenger has revealed that Robin van Persie personally contacted him in a bid to secure a return to Arsenal in 2015, but he turned the Dutchman down. Arsene Wenger has revealed that he rejected the chance to re-sign Robin van Persie at Arsenal. According to former Arsenal boss Wenger, Van Persie contacted him when he was leaving United to see if he could return to London. “All the big clubs were courting him. Make sure to tune in to talkSPORT Breakfast to hear the Frenchman discussing his time at Arsenal, how he changed the culture at the club, Mesut Ozil, and much more! Ajax did though create a number of clear opening, particularly in the first half of the Champions League opener. It was then that Van Persie picked up the phone and called his former boss about the possibility of returning to the Emirates, but he was unable to grant his request. So I think Liverpool have been lucky tonight.”, Asked if Ajax deserved to something from the game, Van Persie added: “Yes, I believe so. Former Holland striker Van Persie did go on to praise Sadio Mane and felt Jordan Henderson’s arrival at half-time helped Liverpool get control of the game. However, after leaving the Emirates Stadium, he joined one of Arsenal’s rivals, signing on for Manchester United.

He hooked a Dusan Tadic lob off the goalline to keep the score at 1-0 – but he also had a positive influence on Joe Gomez alongside him.

Arsene Wenger has sensationally revealed how Robin van Persie got in touch with him to try and arrange a return to Arsenal from Manchester United in 2015. “The supporters were angry with me for this but we could not match the offer. Not tonight. “My relationship with Alex Ferguson and Manchester United had improved by then, but every transfer is a polite game of poker where you attempt to give not anything away.”. I managed to negotiate his departure for £24 million, which was a huge amount at the time for a player with a year left on his contract.

And this is precisely what Robin van Persie’s son Shaqueel managed this weekend. Midfielder Fabinho, in particular, was exceptional filling the hole left by Virgil Van Dijk’s long-term knee injury.

Virgil at the back of course is a big miss, Thiago – although he didn’t play a lot – is a world-class player. His movement, the way he holds up the ball, his link-up play – I would pay to watch him!