Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has claimed he sold Robin Van Persie to Manchester United in 2012 because of the striker’s age.
The forward left the Gunners to the Red Devils much to the dismay of Emirates faithfuls who left betrayed by the former skipper, who had earlier decried the club’s transfer plans.
Arsene Wenger has now come out reveal he decided to sell Van Persie because he was ageing and did not want to tie him on a long-term deal.
The French boss said: ‘I let Van Persie go in the last year of his contract because Van Persie was 29, going on 30 and he was signing a long-term contract.
Van Persie did well at the Old Trafford the following season, scoring 26 goals to help them to a Premier League title.
Arsenal are in similar situation with Alexis Sanchez who has also refused to renew his contract at the Emirates, with suggestions that the Chilean star fancies a move to Chelsea or Manchester City. But Arsene Wenger has insisted Sanchez will not leave the club next summer despite the intense speculations.
He said: ‘That is not the case with Alexis. I personally think he will sign and stay here.’
‘Even if he doesn’t sign a new deal, I will make him stay? Yes. Would I rather keep him than sell to a Premier League rival? Yes.’
There are suggestions that the Gunners may be forced to sell the 28-year-old to clubs abroad with the likes of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Paris Saint Germain beleived to be circling.
