No goals from open play in seven league starts. That’s a statistic which, a couple of months ago, would seem improbable of a player of the stature of Robin Van Persie. It looked like he’d run and run until the end of the season; that Arsenal’s skipper had successfully broken Fantasy football and made a slot in our squads his own, with the captain’s armband soldered to his bicep.
Today’s blank in the stifling 0-0 with Chelsea at the Emirates was the latest setback for those clinging to Van Persie, in the hope that he’ll recapture the stunning form which saw him reach essential status. Certainly there’s been no let up in goal threat from Arsenal’s talisman. Today, Van Persie fired in seven efforts on goal – more than any other player in the Gameweek thus far – it was his most threatening display since Gameweek 18. Reassurance in numbers form – but is it enough?
Such statistics would indicate that his army of Fantasy owners, and those who skippered him yet again, were unfortunate to pocket just a single point after the Dutchman earned his seventh booking of the season. As Arsene Wenger commented in his post-match conference, Van Persie gave everything but, like his owners, he just got nothing back.
The question is, where do we go from here? A total of 74,000 net transfers out last week, already Van Persie is being shipped by thousands. Clearly there’s a tide turning against him as patience wears thin. Although fixtures against Stoke, Norwich and West Brom would suggest that Arsenal and Van Persie still have goals left to score.
Today’s injury to Theo Walcott won’t help acquire them – Van Persie will now have to do without his supply from the right flank for the remaining matches. However, that also deprives Arsene Wenger of the option of shifting Walcott to a central role and carrying out the unthinkable act of resting his skipper – even with 50 games in the tank. While Arsenal still have something to play for, Van Persie will surely start and, with those opponents, logic and statistics suggest that the goal drought surely cannot continue.
It’s getting tougher to hang on to such arguments, though. With Papiss Cisse maintaining a frightening and improbable scoring rate, it’s almost as if the power has shifted. Like the goal mojo took a train to Tyneside, leaving the weary Dutchman searching for the knack, whilst Cisse went about feasting. Double Gameweek offerings will be the next to tempt us to pull the chord on the Van Persie ejector seat: the nagging doubts are building.
Today’s harsh lesson will surely see the armband kept from Van Persie when he rolls up at Stoke. A notorious setting, Wenger won’t relish taking his men to the Britannia and the majority will expect Van Persie’s dry spell to be extended. Those who press the button prior to Gameweek will cling to the fact that the Gunners rarely enjoy their encounters with the muscular Potters who, at their best, can be formidable in front of their bellowing fans. It all points to another blank for the goalscorer supreme. I can almost see Tony Pulis, furiously waving a green flag for those now pondering disposing of Van Persie’s talents.
Personally, I’m not sure I want to take Tony’s advice: I never trust a man in a baseball cap. I’m not turning my back on Robin, not yet. Maybe I’ll sleep on it. Maybe, once Wayne Rooney has done his thing against Everton, once City have torn up Wolves – maybe then they’ll be enough to convince me that it’s time to give it up.
Right now it feels wrong. The good times are still too fresh in the mind. Even if part of me is watching my season whimper out along with Van Persie’s, he’s saved me so often, it’s almost as if I feel I owe to him to remain faithful.
