Arsenal fans are desperate for news on their captain, but have little to report, instead, have been busy cracking jokes.
Wednesday was the big day for Arsenal, it was when their contract negotiations with top scorer and footballer of the year Robin van Persie were to begin.
Arsenal fans would of course have gone through the ‘perfect case’ scenario in their heads.
It would have been Arsene Wenger and Van Persie walking into a press conference together at 11am announcing to the world the Dutchman would be a ‘Gunner for life’ in a football sense as well as an emotional one.
That hasn’t happened, negotiations are still unresolved, and the longer it goes on, the more worrying it has to be for supporters, with speculation increasing by the day.
So now we are onto ‘day three’ of the contract talks, but when ‘day one’ began, fans were busy on Twitter around the world, updating each other on the latest.
Which was a very good idea, a useful way of debating the developments, except there has been little to actually discuss.
The messages have been a mixture of pleas from Gooners for him to stay.
“All Gooners stalking RVP at the moment, May he make the decision that’s best for him and the club #Arsenal #Robinpleasestay #RVPlive
To concerns about the latest speculation.
“I can’t believe that I’m even following the #RVPLive hashtags but I just can’t help myself. Worried Arsenal fan right here.”
To simply cracking jokes.
“Theo Walcott has text John Terry to let him know RVP’s wife is home alone #RVPLive #JTStopsPlay“
“#RVP has just text Arsene Wenger to clarify @themichaelowen would not count as a world class signing #RVPlive“
“Unconfirmed reports that after 7 fruitless hours of being held hostage in Arsene’s front room, Ivan (Gazidis) has got the blowtorch out. #RVPlive”
“Diaby was due to be the bouncer on the door for the meeting, but he was ruled out due to injury. #RVPlive”
“Wenger has been to Rymans and bought the whole pen display. He wants Robin to have a choice. #RVPlive”
Others have been jokingly taking the mickey out of their own obsession with following such behind the scenes negotiations, ‘minute-by-minute’
“OMG!!! He’s wearing a BLUE jacket!! We all know what that means…. #RVPLive“
While sensible fans have been reminding other not to read anything into this morning’s rabid speculation.
“Guys don’t believe a thing you hear from the press, It’s all just speculation, Don’t listen to anything untill it’s official broken #RVPLive“
With a lack of developments, minute by minute has become more hour by hour, but it remains an interesting look into the psyche of Arsenal fans at the moment as they desperately wait for actual news on their captain.
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Patrick Vieira, former Arsenal captain, and now Football Development Executive at Manchester City, has been busy stirring the pot in the media, expressing amazement that Arsenal have allowed the situation to get to this position with one year left on his contract.
Papers report that Juventus and Real Madrid are also lurking, but while there is no news, the gallows humour of Arsenal fans will continue.
If it is announced he wants to leave, no fan will be in the mood for cracking jokes.
Will Van Persie stay or go? What do you predict?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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