Is it too late for RVP?

The Robin van Persie saga took another dramatic twist on Tuesday, as fresh reports claim that the Arsenal captain could in fact sign a new contract after all.

Despite signalling his intention that he would not be extending his current deal last week, it now appears that RVP may now be prepared to stay at the Emirates.

But while this would have been great news a week ago, is it too little too late for the Dutch international?

Many have been disgusted with van Persie's comments, with the 29-year-old smashing any lingering hopes that football fans had of a player showing loyalty.

Many thought RVP was different to all the other money-grabbers such as Ashley Cole and Samir Nasri, but the skipper broke hearts and title chances in the process.

However, this wouldn't be the first time that we would have witnessed such a sensational turnaround.

Step forward Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

In 2010, Rooney declared that his time was up at Manchester United and demanded an exit.

Speculation was rife for the next few days, before the England striker astounded everyone by signing a new deal.

United went on to win the League in 2011.

Then there was Tevez, who after refusing to warm up again Bayern Munich late last year, was told he would never play for City again.

But perhaps even more shockingly than the Rooney situation, the Argentine returned and played the remainder of the season from March.

City went on to win the League in 2012.

Could Arsenal and Van Persie be onto something here?

But is it too late to forgive and forget?

Let's face it, when a player's heart has gone there is no point in keeping them there.

But has RVP's heart really gone?

Many were so surprised at the captain's statement due to his evident love and affection for Arsenal that he has shown for since the beginning of his relationship to the club.

And let's face it, it's not like Van Persie has been crying out for a move away from the Emirates.

Could this have even been a drastic step taken by our skipper to force the club into changing its ethos for the better?

Only time will tell, but if a new deal can be agreed for RVP then for me it has to happen.

Even if he is to leave next summer, it's will jack his price tag right up.

If he doesn't leave next summer, then the club can continue to bring in better and more proven talent like Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, and hand out new deals to the players that deserve them such as Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny.

And there is also the fact that he is actually a pretty awesome player.

Yes the media generally overlooked the contribution of people like Alex Song, Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny last season, but RVP led us to third place, winning awards and braking records in the process.

So should the rumours be true, let's consider this whole saga as a lovers tiff.

You may hate their guts at the time, but deep down, you know that you love each other really.

Matt Cotton
@FindingCotton