WENGER: I WANTED VAN PERSIE TO CONTINUE AT ARSENAL

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has disclosed that he tried to convince Robin van Persie to stay back at Arsenal but could not stop the Dutchman from fulfilling his desire by moving to Manchester United. Van Persie left the Emirates Stadium back in the summer transfer window of 2013 and moved to Old Trafford where he signed for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Devils.

Van Persie’s move to United is recognized as one of the finest of transfers in the English Premier League, as the former Arsenal man spearheaded the Red Devils’ attack, scoring 20 league goals that season and helping the club clinch their 20th Premier League title. The former striker was always known as a goal poacher and a deadly striker in the box, and when the opportunity arose to move to Old Trafford, he could not turn it down.

Sir Alex Ferguson was enjoying a great season with his United squad but identified Van Persie back then as the missing piece of his jigsaw and one who could bring more attacking threat to his already wealthy attacking set up at the club. He placed a bid for the striker, and even though the Gunners tried to keep hold of their striker, they could not stop him from wanting to seal a move away. And now, Wenger has revealed that he tried to stop the move from happening, but he just could not.

Speaking about the famous transfer, Wenger said he told Van Persie that United were interested in signing him, but that he was not interested in selling him. However, he was held back when the former striker dropped a bombshell that he would be interested in sealing the move away.

United eventually paid a sum of around £20 million for the striker and he would then go on to win the league title in his first season at Old Trafford.