Ex-Arsenal hero Henry hopes van Persie is Gunner stay

Tuesday, July 31, 2012
12:53 PM

Thierry Henry wants Robin van Persie to stay at Arsenal

Thierry Henry is still holding out hope that Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will stay at the Emirates, but insists the club will recover should the Dutch star make an exit, just as they did when he left.

Last season’s top marksman announced earlier this month that he would not sign a new contract, a decision which would appear to spell the end of his eight year love affair with the Gunners.

Italian giants are reportedly interested in taking van Persie to Turin, while Manchester rivals City and United are also monitoring the situation.

Yet Arsenal legend Henry believes that the saga could still end positively for his former club.

“We hope he stays, and that’s the way it is,” Henry told Sky Sports News.

“I don’t know exactly what is happening but as an Arsenal fan I want him to stay.

“He is still an Arsenal player and the boss has to deal with it.”

French forward Henry left the Gunners for Barcelona in 2007 after breaking Arsenal’s goalscoring records – netting 174 times – but returned last season on a loan deal from current club New York Red Bulls.

He said: “I just want Arsenal to do well. Robin will do what he will do and we’ll see.

“When I left, everybody cried, but then the year after they went on a run of being eight points ahead. Everyone comes and goes.”