Robin van Persie labels Arsenal fans 'sensitive' as he gives definitive answer on possible return
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Robin van Persie has ruled out a return to Arsenal as he believes ‘that door is closed’ following his switch to Manchester United in 2012.
Van Persie caused huge controversy when he left the Gunners for United, which led to his first Premier League title.
He contributed heavily to the title winning campaign with 26 goals that season earning himself a second golden boot.
Some Arsenal fans have never forgotten about swapping to one of their biggest rivals.
Now, he does not expect to ever go back to the north London club.
Talking about the possibility of coaching Arsenal in an interview with Sportscast he 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 very welcome within the club and among the fans. I also think that it is important that you feel welcome.”
The Dutch striker during his eight year period at Arsenal from 2004 to 2012 left fans star struck by his sheer ability to score, netting 132 times in 278 games.
His goal against Charlton in 2006 remains a key memory for many Gooners.
He ran onto a floated cross to then jump and strike a volley into the top right corner past Scott Carson to win the match.
Arsene Wenger had dreams of competing for titles as he did in the late nineties and early 2000s but with a costly move from Highbury to the Emirates he could not afford the necessary quality of players to do so.
A problem Van Persie grew tiresome of. The 2011/12 season was the final nail in the coffin when he scored 30 goals but could only lead Arsenal to third, 19 points behind winners Manchester City.
He left to go and join Man United, a club that shared bad blood from their earlier years of competing for titles and physically battering each other on the pitch.
We cannot forget the infamous Pizzagate drama led by Cesc Fabregas.
To add insult to injury, Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly paid only £24m, a price definitely far below his value as a 30 goal a season striker.
A transfer which left a bad taste in the mouths of Arsenal fans and one many have never got over as Van Persie is arguably the best striker in the Emirates era to this date.
Yes, he was a key part in their 2005 FA Cup success but winning a trophy gooners have been starving for with Man United was, and still is, considered a sin in north London.
He now coaches Dutch side SC Heerenveen who currently sit 12th in the Eredivisie.
His tenure started in May 2024 and has included a rough ride, suffering a 9-1 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in September.
A video recently surfaced of Van Persie showing off his technical ability in training as he played two touch with Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
