Footballers come, footballers go, that is the circle of life and the way of the business, everyone has a price and everyone has a shelf-life. But at Arsenal this is becoming a regular and unfortunate occurrence, to lose one captain is shabby, to lose THREE is downright silly.

Robin Van Persie has seemingly become the club’s most infamous hat-trick today with the news he will not extend his contract and seemingly has his bags already packed. Gooners have seen Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas make similar exits in recent summers but despite being used to it by now, it would be fair to say Robin’s possible exit cuts very deep indeed.

Not only is he the captain (Arsenal’s armband seems to make players want to leave rather than stay and fight) but the Flying Dutchman has just completed a quite sensational season. 2011/12 saw him drag Arsenal back from the 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford into a third place finish which many, myself included, thought completely beyond Arsene Wenger’s men come September.

But on July 4, Robin declared a desire for independence, a move which if you believe the media, Arsenal did not know he was about to make. So what is it? A desire to actually leave behind the Emirates in the pursuit of trophies or a clever ruse to get what he wants?

‘An update for the fans’

The fury has been unleashed followed by the most coded statement I have seen from a footballer in a very long time, full of subtle wordplay and contradictions.

‘I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the club’ – nothing to do with being at Euro 2012 and wanting to concentrate on performing well for Holland then Robin?

‘I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days’ - I wasn’t aware the club had faded into the Championship ala Leeds United? The glory days have not faded Robin, they are simply just shrouded in a mist which needs a strong wind to clear it. Oh and as for trophies, I seem to remember a tap in against Milan which would have levelled the game at 4-4 and took us into a Champions League quarter final....

‘Out of my huge respect for Mr. Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has AGAIN become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward’ – Firstly, how long have you been concerned about the direction of the club? Secondly ‘huge respect’ means you perhaps tell the manager of your decision first and not your personal website.

‘I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions’ – Not enough to hear them plead with you to stay and fight and drag this club to trophies the same way your goals inspired us to wins such as that one at Anfield.

‘I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens’ – I love Arsenal and that’s why I am packing my bags......

‘As soon as Mr. Gazidis is back from his 2-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.’ – If you don’t intend to stay, why have more meetings and secondly, Arsenal’s commercial director has confirmed Mr Gazidis is not on holiday, something to tell us Robin?

Lack of ambition?

It’s important to elaborate a little further on that ‘lack of ambition’ – this time last Summer, Arsenal had signed just Carl Jenkinson. This year we have Lukas Podolski (100 appearances for Germany) and Olivier Giroud in the bag. It took Arsene Wenger until deadline day and after an 8-2 mauling by Manchester United to get the bodies we needed in, this year’s shopping has been done far more brisker.

Potentially, Arsenal have what I consider to be one of the best squad’s the club has seen for three or four years this season, solid goalkeeper in Wojciech Szczesny, solid centre-halves in Vermaelen and Koscielny, Arteta, Song and hopefully an eager Jack Wilshere in midfield and three forwards in Van Persie, Podolski and Giroud who bagged almost 100 goals last season.

Not quite Man City squad depth I grant you but better than we have seen at the Emirates for a few years. Unhappy with Arsene bringing kids through Robin? I have news for you, you were purchased as a raw youngster so please do not bite the hand which has fed!

Personal matters

It’s widely known the club stood by Robin when he was falsely accused of a sexual assault in 2005, he was cleared and is just that today, an innocent man. It has been widely reported the whole matter placed great strain on his relationship with his now wife Bouchra. The couple seem happy as ever now which is delightful to see. But consider her words in an interview published by the Sun newspaper among others on May 29 2012.

'Arsenal showed faith in Robin when he was going through a lean time, so we should not repay them by thinking about other clubs.

'Our home life and our children are happy in London’

A sense of perspective on the whole matter?

The future?

There is one with or without Robin, I personally would now rather see him sold than an agonizing year of will he/won’t he. It’s your move Arsene/Ivan but in this elaborate card game I would call his bluff and transfer list him immediately – We either get the cash we can for him or he slinks back into the Emirates with his tail between his legs

I certainly want to see the captain’s armband removed from him and placed around the biceps of someone who loves the club.

Someone who allegedly does not need an agent, someone who will be straining every sinew to get back into the team and make his club proud and thank them for standing by him. Someone called Jack Wilshere.

Too young? Yes definitely but remember what they said about Tony Adams when he was handed the armband? He didn’t exactly turn out too bad did he?

Latest: