Ian Wright says Arsene Wenger selling one Arsenal player was so ‘devastating’ it was a ‘dagger’

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal fans have had to endure many painful departures over the years.

Arsene Wenger was the manager of the club for over two decades, and he helped the Gunners sign several incredible players.

However, the financial burden of building the Emirates Stadium resulted in a few heartbreaking sales as well because Arsenal just couldn’t financially compete with other big clubs.

Ian Wright has now had his say on a few of those departures.

Ian Wright says Arsenal selling Robin van Persie was a ‘dagger’

Robin van Persie is one of the best strikers to have played for Arsenal.

The Dutchman spent eight years as a Gunner. He played 278 games, scored 132 goals and provided 56 assists. He was even the captain of the club towards the end of his time in North London.

In the summer of 2012, when Van Persie entered the final year of his contract, the striker decided he did not want to stay at Arsenal anymore.

Manchester United came in for him, and Arsenal reluctantly allowed him to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s club. He won the Premier League title in his first season there.

That was and still is really painful for all Arsenal fans, including club legend Wright, who has described that as a ‘dagger’.

He also had his say on a few other departures.

Wright said on The Overlap: “When Thierry (Henry) left and he won it with Barcelona, it was heartbreaking.

“Van Persie, that was a real dagger, that was a dagger! (Samir) Nasri went to Man City, and we lost Cesc (Fabregas), those types of players, those were devastating!”

READ MORE: Robin van Persie makes a surprise claim about his Arsenal exit

Van Persie wanted to re-join Arsenal

Van Persie was loved by Arsenal fans when he was at the club.

The Dutchman had a number of injury issues during his time at the Emirates, but supporters stuck by him through all of his difficulties.

However, instead of staying at the club that made him, he decided to leave Arsenal when they needed him and joined a direct rival.

After three years at Old Trafford, Van Persie asked Wenger to re-sign him for Arsenal, but the Frenchman, rightly, declined.

Van Persie could’ve gone down as a legend at Arsenal, but his actions made him lose all the respect fans had for him.