Ray Parlour: Losing Van Persie is a big blow for Arsenal

Aug 16, 2012 12:28:00 AM

Arsene Wenger is selling his captain for the fourth time in seven years, and the former player believes strengthening a "massive rival" is a negative heading into the new season

Ray Parlour believes the imminent departure of captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United is a "big blow" for Arsenal.

It was announced on Wednesday that the Premier League pair has reached an agreement over the fee for the striker, with the player set to travel to Manchester on Thursday to complete a medical.

The transfer will see Arsenal lose their captain for the fourth time in seven years, joining the likes of Patrick Viera, Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas out of the door, and Ray Parlour believes the latest departure is a “big blow” for his former side.

He told talkSPORT: “It’s been years since Arsenal sold a player to Manchester United. I think [the last] was Frank Stapleton [in 1981].

“They were always our massive rivals and I know we sold a lot of players to Manchester City but Manchester United were always our rivals and we didn’t want to help them.

“It’s a big blow for Arsenal but I’m just hoping with the money they receive from the transfer that Arsene Wenger has got a replacement in mind.”

Wenger has already been very busy in the transfer market ahead of this latest development, bringing in striking duo Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud from Koln and Montpellier respectively.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants Isco at Chelsea
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind