Robin van Persie, a former Netherlands striker, has denied any future plans to return to Arsenal, citing his controversial 2012 transfer to Manchester United.
The 41-year-old made the admission in a recent interview, acknowledging that the decision is still a sensitive topic for Arsenal fans.
Van Persie enjoyed an eight-year spell at Arsenal, playing for the club between 2004 and 2012, and quickly became one of their star players.
However, his decision to join rivals Manchester United in 2012 left a bitter taste among many Gooners, who felt betrayed by his departure to one of their main competitors.
The Dutch forward enjoyed immediate success at United, winning the Premier League title in his first season.
Despite his achievements at Old Trafford, Van Persie’s move remains a point of contention for some Arsenal supporters.
Reflecting on this, the former striker 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.”
After retiring as a player in 2019, Van Persie has begun a new chapter in his career as a manager.
This year, he took on his first managerial role, becoming the head coach of Dutch side Heerenveen.
With his managerial career now underway, questions about Van Persie’s future coaching prospects have inevitably turned to whether he would ever return to a club as influential as Arsenal.
However, his comments suggest that a return to his former club is unlikely, given the lingering resentment from fans over his transfer to their archrivals.
While Van Persie’s sentiments indicate that Arsenal is not in his immediate plans, football fans are aware that in the unpredictable world of football, circumstances can change.