Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: RVP moved to Man Utd because he was like a 39-year-old woman

Robin Van Persie left Arsenal for Manchester United because his biological clock was ticking, according to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman compared his former star striker to a 39-year-old woman who wants her first baby. And he seemed to acknowledge that RVP had to leave in order to fulfil his ambition of winning the Premier League before the end of his career.

Wenger said: “He was about to arrive at the age of 29 and thought, ‘Can we win the title here or do I have to leave to win it somewhere else?’ It wasn’t about the money.

“There’s a kind of timescale — like for a woman who has no baby at 39. She starts to think, ‘I have not much time left now’.

“It was a completely honest situation with Robin. We had a frank exchange of views.

“He’s an honest guy, Robin. He tells you the truth. He was respectful until the end and we cannot complain.

“It is difficult when the player does not want to be here, knowing the club does not get anything at the end of the season, knowing that he might not contribute as well. You are twice a loser.

“The decision has been made and we have to live with it. I believe what is important is to focus on our team and forget about that story and focus on what we can achieve.

“We have lost some other big players like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, who had won the title with this club.

“Robin could have helped us to win. That he left before that was frustrating for us. But, of course, we still speak.”

OTP suspects the crowd at the Emirates might not be quite so understanding during tomorrow’s Arsenal vs Manchester United clash.