‘Charm’ offensive helps lift depression

As far as I was concerned Robin van Persie was dead to me from the moment he came over to bid us all adieu, at the conclusion of last season’s campaign at The Hawthorns.

I’ll be booing Robin as vociferously as the next Gooner, but only because of the Dutchman’s sacrilegious decision to dance with the Red Devils. If I’m honest, if Fergie is foolish enough to stump up €30m for an injury-prone 29-year-old striker, it’s hardly bad business.

And putting myself in van Persie’s boots, can I seriously blame the man for choosing to pocket the best part of €60m over the course of his United contract, whilst discharging himself of the burden of his “big-fish” responsibilities at the Arsenal; where, as captain, he was tasked with single-handedly keeping the club afloat.