Good things come in threes!

No sooner had Robin Van Persie lifted a personal trophy, everyone were quick to debate about his future at Arsenal. The reason behind why he’s been on fire this season doesn’t help either. Playing every game like it was his last one will bound to flame those hungry rumour mongers. It’s an answer that can be easily construed as something else.

For me, I take it as nothing man than his method to get the best of out himself. Not something which is thought beyond the playing days at Arsenal. Or playing to get himself noticed by the bigger clubs. It’s just self motivation for someone who hasn’t played all that much in all his time as a professional footballer. One who after being out for long period with various injuries, just appreciating the time he gets on the football pitch. If that focuses him and deliver goals for us, who am I to complain.

There’s something in the news today which links RVP to Juventus. But in the same article, it also writes that Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are committed to keep him, even if he doesn’t extend his contract. That should end all the stories until next year, don’t you think. Unlikely. I do believe that with the commercial deals being up in discussion from next season onwards and projecting a massive increase in that regard, Wenger will be less obligated to sell players to generate income. It won’t be the most financially prudent thing to be done but I can live with it.

For that to happen though, David Dein will have put his words into action. For someone who wants Arsenal to sort out RvP’s contract sooner rather later, he certainly do hold the cards. Lest we all forget, it was his son who negotiated the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy. So far, the best recommendation I’ve heard from Twitter to DD is for him to lock his son up until December. Again, something which I can pretty much live with.

Another piece of news which I can absolutely live with (can you see the theme going on here?) is that Manuel Almunia is set to leave Arsenal. This has been something which we’ve known for the longest time as it was clear that the club was trying to sell him during the 2 transfer windows this season. However, this is probably the first time that he has actually come out and confirmed it. I’ve got nothing against Almunia. It’s a big credit to see that his fall from No. 1 at the club to not playing a single game is done without fuss or major outrage through the media. He has acted respectfully towards us and that’s speaks volume of his character.

With yesterday being St Georges’ Day and the relation with 3 lions and all, 3 of our defenders spoke. You want to say that was poor, don’t you. Kieran Gibbs reiterating that everything was tight before, still tight now and probably will be tight down the road. One can understand him wanting to play in 3 cup finals, having played in no such match before.

Then there’s Thomas Vermaelen speaking about how much he likes cannons and how he would have gladly put out his one pence to contribute that lead to the forming of Arsenal Football Club, if only he can find/build a time machine. He’s been with us for 3 years now and signed an extension last season which will see him stay with us for another 3 seasons. You can never find faults with any player who dreams about Arsenal. Though funnily enough, none of the contents of those dreams are ever divulged.

Last but not least, Bacary Sagna wants us to finish in 3rd spot. (The number 3 is brought to you today by… ). He admits that we were no where near our best on Saturday but could still be happy that we kept another clean sheet. That’s our fifth in seven games and it’s no coincidence that we achieved it with what is arguably our most settled defensive line-up for the season. I don’t really want to argue the inclusion of Andre Santos ahead of Gibbs here.

A steady and consistent starters in defence will eventually leads to the understanding growing and knowing each other’s game. Our title victory in 1991 was based on that. David Seaman, Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon and Steve Bould all played 38 league games that season. Tony Adams played 30, only because he was behind bars for the others. I know in today’s modern game, it is hard for players to play at the pace that they do and be fit for the entire season. But if we can maintain 90% of the side throughout, we have a chance.

Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday.