Hartson: Arsenal can recover if RVP goes

Posted Sunday, May 20, 2012 by ESPN

Former Arsenal striker John Hartson has called on the club to sell Robin van Persie if he desires to leave.

Completing his most prolific season for Arsenal, van Persie's scoring form led him to being crowned top scorer of the Premier League, as well as being named PFA Player of the Year. While the striker is undoubtedly pleased with the personal accolades, many believe he has grown frustrated with the club's recent lack of silverware and he may seek a move elsewhere to fulfil his aspirations.

Recent news emanating from the Emirates Stadium indicates that the Dutchman's talks with club management over his contract extension has hit a snag, and Hartson supposes that the captain is waiting for the Gunners to strengthen their squad in a show of ambition before he will sign on the dotted line.

"They’ve brought in Podolski and [Van Persie] might be looking at what the club does [in the transfer market] before he commits his future," he said to talkSport.

While fans would consider it disastrous for the club to lose van Persie now, Hartson believes Arsenal should cash in on the want-away player while he still commands a large transfer fee. The Welshman has confidence the London side can recover from the loss of their star striker, having done so once before with Thierry Henry.

"I can see Van Persie leaving Arsenal, he'll be a massive loss but they recovered when [Thierry] Henry left, they recovered when [Ian] Wright left," Hartson stated.

"Arsenal are not a one man club and if he doesn’t want to stay, they may be better off cashing in. People think it will be the end of their world, but it’s not. Clubs recover."