From hero to zero: 5 players that betrayed Arsenal this decade

5. Robin van Persie

I’ve saved the best (or worst, if you’re an Arsenal fan) until last.

Robin van Persie is, without a doubt, the best striker to have played for Arsenal since Thierry Henry. He scored a wide range of goals, from volleys to headers, and he was Arsenal’s glimmer of hope in their most distressing era.

And how did he repay the fans? Well, by joining Manchester United, of course. However, much to the annoyance of his Arsenal followers, his switch materialised and turned fruitful for the Dutchman in the end.

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He moved to Old Trafford in 2012 and won the Premier League in his first season, winning the Golden Boot. If he wasn’t a fan favourite at Manchester United already, he was then. He continued being the excellent player that Arsenal fans knew he was, but this time the red on his shirt represented their arch-rivals.

Almost eight years down the line and Arsenal fans still resent van Persie and who can blame them?

There have been many examples, even within only the last decade, of players that did the Arsenal fans dirty. It’s been a decade of struggle and hardship for the Gunners but they will be hoping for a much better start to 2020.

Who do you think will be the next player to betray Arsenal for a rival club?