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Well, it has happened. The RVP saga has finally come to an end. His final destination? The Red half of Manchester, Manchester United. Not the blue half as most of us expected it to be, but were always hoping it would not come true. Our prayers were answered. Not sure if Arsenal Fans can say the same. I had last month, after RVP’s letter stating he would not be signing a new contract came out, written a piece in which I had mentioned that it was disappointing that RVP had decided not to give back to Arsenal and more importantly Arsene Wenger after all that they had given him.
That disappointment has obviously been brought down by a level with RVP signing for Manchester United, but it still has left a bad taste in the mouth of countless “football fans”. Though as with all things, there are two sides to a coin and so does this. Where Arsenal fans might despise RVP for leaving the club, he also had to look at it from his point of view. He had interest from 3 clubs who were in a better position, and still are, to win trophies when compared to his club at that time, Arsenal. It seems to have emerged that RVP favored a move to Manchester United and apparently even refused a late offer from PSG to sign for Manchester United. This left Arsene Wenger and the club no choice BUT to let him go to Manchester United for the “right price”. Arsenal fans have every right to be angry that RVP left but he decided to choose ambition over emotion. We, as fans, can be as emotional as we want, but at the end of the day football is now a business. RVP took the best business decision and decided to move to a club where he saw more opportunities to win trophies.
The Good
Now, with all the hate going around by Arsenal fans, most sections of Manchester United fans are ecstatic that we have signed a world-class player. Many agree that he was probably not the signing that we needed but, he is still a world class player and takes the goalscoring load of Rooney. Rooney has been carrying the load since Ronaldo left the club for spanish pastures and with this signing, that load is now lessened. Remember the 2009-10 season when Manchester United lost the EPL title (almost) and got knocked out of UCL, all in the space of two weeks time? Remember why? Rooney got injured in the Bayern Munich quarter final First leg. Now with RVP signed, that case will have us less worried. Also, Welbeck and Chicharito will get a lot to learn from RVP.
The Bad
Arsenal fans, as I have mentioned, have been left highly disappointed with what has transpired over the summer. Many had taken it as a given that RVP would sign for them. I mean why would he not? He was an Arsenal fan, even before he joined the club as he had claimed previously. Last month though “the statement” proved to burn all the bridges that had been there between RVP and Arsenal, and even though Arsenal fans hoped after the additions of Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla that RVP might just change his mind, he had already burned too many bridges to ever turn back. That is highly unfortunate.
It would have been heartwarming as a football fan to see a player stay loyal to the club and its fans. More importantly, to the guy who put faith in him when no one else would. Arsene Wenger. Loyalty seems to be a quality which is dying with the breed coming out now. Gerrard, Giggs, Scholes,Totti,Neville, etc must be looking at these players and wondering where has all the loyalty gone? The truth is, and no matter how sad it maybe,that football is now about money and trophies. It is time we fans tried being realistic at times. It is hard but at times you have to face the truth.
The Ugly
Many fans I have read have turned this hate towards RVP into something very ugly. I understand fans being disappointed, but disappointed to the point that they hope that “he breaks his leg and is never play again” is sad to read or hear. At the end of the day, footballers are also humans like us, and they have needs too. In life you make choices, and those choices are your own. RVP chose ambition over emotion and many of those complaining about him leaving should ask themselves: Would you leave a job if someone offered you a better pay and position when you were 5 years away from retiring? There will be a few who would say no, but there are those who will say Yes.
The Awesome
Piers Morgan with his infamous tweet. Last night Piers was trending but along with #Tears4Piers/ #Tiers4Piers
Right, I want to end this article on a happy note. What better way to do that than laugh at the misery that has been inflicted upon Piers Morgan since the deal between Arsenal and Manchester United broke out last night.Many fans of other clubs are loving the fact that RVP left just because of the reaction that it has provoked from Morgan and all the banter that he has been facing from everyone. His meltdown on Twitter was worth the 5-6million that Manchester United seem to have over-paid on RVP. Especially Rio,Rooney,Owen,Pique and even Usain Bolt! This has to be the most awesome side effect ever to a transfer!
So, to end this article, my message to Arsenal fans would be that all is not doom and gloom. Arsene seems to have learnt from his mistakes of last summer and bought players early so as to soften the blow of RVP leaving. He has brought in quality and more importantly experience and this will help Arsenal in the long run. They may still have more signings to come in the market. They have the future stars to possibly dominate the league but they need to do a better job of holding onto them and for that they will need to end the trophy drought fast!
As for Manchester United fans, we can now look forward to a season full of exciting attacking options, and the factor of not really being able to know which four out of Rooney, RVP, Welbeck, Chicharito, Kagawa, Valencia, Nani and Young will take to the field. The possibilities are endless. You still feel we are short probably one LB and maybe even a CM, but if injuries are kept to a minimum I think we are well covered. Let the season begin!
