Robin Van Persie Joins Manchester United From Arsenal

Robin Van Persie's 'Inner Child' Guided Him To Old Trafford

For better or for worse, the Robin van Persie to Manchester United transfer is all finished. The club site officially introduced the Dutch international to the fans today ahead of his first training session. And last season's top scorer in the Premier League was absolutely thrilled to be there:

Everyone knows by now that I'm a lover of football. I'm quite principled in that prospect. It's always difficult to find a perfect match but I do feel this is the perfect match for me. Man Utd breathe football. If you look at all players at the club, the stadium and the manager, my choice was made based on those things. When I have to make hard decisions, I always listen to little boy inside me and what he wants. That little boy was screaming for MU.

Well then. Far be it from us to stand in the way of Robin van Persie's inner child, eh? I'm not even an Arsenal fan and that quote is making me nauseated.

The Inevitable Arsenal Fan Burning a Robin Van Persie Jersey Video

The Only Winner Of The Robin Van Persie Deal Is Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie had a brilliant 2011/12 season, but his big-money acquisition represents a very dangerous gamble for Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson: Robin Van Persie Will Play Against Everton

Sir Alex Ferguson has declared that Robin van Persie should play against Everton on Monday night, and also compared his strikeforce to his famous treble-winning quartet.

Arsene Wenger: Robin Van Persie Already Replaced

Arsene Wenger says that he has no need for a replacement for Robin van Persie, as Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski will fill the gap left by the Dutchman's departure.

Robin van Persie Was Willing To Stay At Arsenal; Will Be Paid Handsomely By Manchester United

Robin van Persie had a meeting with Arsene Wenger and Arsenal club directors earlier in the summer, which led to his releasing of a statement on his website where he stated that he would not renew his contract. In that statement, van Persie said, about the meeting that "it has again become clear to me that we, in many aspects disagree, on the way Arsenal FC should move forward." This was before the signings of Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla were finalized.

It turns out, van Persie was pretty happy with the signings, and was willing to stick around. According to David Ornstein at the BBC, van Persie was willing to stay, but Wenger had already started thinking about life after van Persie.

"It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla - to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract ... But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday's friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans. "

That might not sit well with too many Arsenal fans. It probably didn't sit well with van Persie initially, but he's probably getting over Wenger's decision quickly, since he's getting a big fat raise. The Telegraph, among other outlets, is reporting that van Persie's new contract with the Red Devils is going to be worth £200k per week.

The Impact of Robin Van Persie's Sale On Fantasy Premier League - Never Manage Alone

The sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United has shaken the Premier League. The league's leading scorer is moving to the league's best team historically, who finished second in England last year and are hoping that the Dutchman can propel them past rivals Manchester City. Meanwhile, Arsenal's grip on a top four place and the Champions League place that comes with it is a little bit looser than it was a day ago, sparking the hopes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle and even Liverpool.

But while the club-crazy among us are trying to sort through how this will affect the table, there is that other kind of competition that has been turned upside down too -- fantasy Premier League. Several players on both United and Arsenal will see their fantasy value completely changed because of this transfer. That includes two of the league's best players who will be expected to lead United, but according to Never Manager Alone, they wlll take a fantasy hit.

Robin van Persie: Down - It will take a little time to figure out how he fits at Old Trafford but with lots of options to take kicks and penalties and be the focal point of the attack he's going to go from being the main man to being part of an ensemble cast. I'd say he's likely to score 15 to 18 goals with 8 assists. A great season but not one worthy of the price he's currently going for.

Wayne Rooney: Down - Same logic as van Persie above. The attack won't improve enough to accommodate fantasy points at least season's levels for both players. The inevitable conclusion is that both end up being about 75% of the fantasy player they were at their best last season.

Other players will also take a hit, especially a couple other United strikers, while some of the Arsenal forwards are going to see their fantasy values soar because of this. Keep worrying about where you club will finish in the table now, but don't forget about that fantasy team.

Robin Van Persie Sale Requires Arsenal To Reinvest - The Short Fuse

Everybody knew, even if they didn't want to believe it, that Robin van Persie would be sold this summer. Arsenal couldn't just let him walk after the season so the Gunners started preparing for his exit, most notably by signing Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

But even though Arsenal knew that selling van Persie was not just a possibility, it was likely, a sale of their best player doesn't leave anyone feeling particularly well. The Gunners just let their best player go and to a team that the Gunners aren't exactly buddy-buddy with. Over at SB Nation's Arsenal blog, The Short Fuse, Thomas Wachtel tries to sort through his feelings on the sale and says that the only thing that might put a smile on those at the Emirates is to buy a player or two, and quickly.

Personally I'm torn about this. Ornstein is a very reliable reporter, so I take his report of a £24million deal as the truth. That's a lot of money for a player who is ageing (visibly) and announced that he would not sign a new contract after the season, but for a player who was our go-to man last year and to sell him to a rival...that's rough. I am not very happy on balance right now, though prudent (and rapid) reinvestment might cheer me up.

Arsenal could still use some reinforcements in defense and while nobody knows for sure just how much United are paying Arsenal, it will be a pretty penny. Will the Gunners take that money and use it to strengthen the team at the back or elsewhere?

That Time Piers Morgan Lost His Mind on Twitter Over Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie Transfer From Arsenal To Manchester United Agreed

Manchester United have agreed on a fee with Arsenal for the transfer of Robin van Persie.