Robin Van Persie is seen playing for Arsenal in 2011
Robin Van Persie betrayed Arsenal to join Man Utd in 2012 (Picture: Getty)
Robin van Persie firmly believes that Arsenal fans are ‘still sensitive’ about his dramatic switch to join Premier League rivals Manchester United back in 2012.
Arsene Wenger won the race to sign the Dutchman in 2004, with the striker going on to prove a great success in north London.
Van Persie was ultimately named club captain in 2011 and went on to score a century of goals for the Gunners.
However, Arsenal fans were then left betrayed when Van Persie turned down the opportunity to sign a new deal with the club and announced his decision to leave.
While Juventus and Manchester City emerged as an early favourite for his signature, the Dutchman ultimately caused a shock when he joined the Red Devils for £22million deal in 2012.
Van Persie hit the ground running at his new club, scoring score 26 goals in his debut campaign to guide the club to their 20th league title and help Sir Alex Ferguson enjoy the perfect end to his Old Trafford reign.
And it proved an especially tough pill to swallow for Arsenal fans who then watched their players provide their former captain with a guard of honour at the Emirates after he had won the title the week prior with a hat-trick win against Aston Villa.
Manchester United v Aston Villa - Premier League
Van Persie’s stunning hat-trick at home to Villa secured United’s 20th league crown (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
And the Dutchman was then given an awkward guard of honour by his former club (Picture: Getty)
The 41-year-old, who finished his playing career in 2019, has now entered his first managerial job this year with Eredivisie side Heerenveen.
Naturally, attentions have turned to which clubs Van Persie may wish to manage in the future, but he appears to have ruled out ever going back to north London.
Dutch Eredivisiesc Heerenveen v Go Ahead Eagles
Robin van Persie is currently managing Dutch side Heerenveen (Picture: Getty)
Quizzed if there was a chance he could ever work at Arsenal in the future, Van Persie said: ‘I don’t expect to work at Arsenal. I think that door is closed.
‘Because of my switch to Manchester United, that is my assessment. You never know in football, but that is my assessment. It is still sensitive for them, not for me. It is especially sensitive for the Arsenal fans.
‘I have learned that planning so far ahead makes no sense at all. I don’t want that either.
‘I mainly live in the here and now. I really enjoy it here and I am very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen.
‘I feel I feel very welcome within the club and among the fans. I also think that is important that you feel welcome.’
This article was first published on November 16.
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