Van Persie to leave Gunners

The Dutch striker — who has one year left on his current deal — took to his website to end speculation over his future on Wednesday afternoon.
Van Persie confirmed that after a meeting with club chief executive Ivan Gazidis and manager Arsene Wenger it became clear that they disagreed on the way Arsenal should move forward.
Last season’s English Premier League top scorer added that no financial terms or a contract were ever discussed and he will hold further meetings with Gazidis this month.
The response from the club to Van Persie’s revelation suggests that they may look to retain the services of the former Feyenoord player, who has been linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
Arsenal later released their own statement stating they expect their star forward to see out the remainder of his contract.
The club statement read: “We have to respect Robin’s decision not to renew his contract.
“Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the club.
“We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenal’s best interests in mind.”
But Wenger must now decide whether to cash in on a player who has no intention of extending his Gunners career beyond next summer or allow him to walk away for nothing after one more season.
Wenger has had to cope with a number of key men leaving in recent years, with midfield duo Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri the most recent to head for the Emirates exit.
Arsenal’s rivals Manchester United are now preparing to gazump neighbours City and sign unsettled Gunners striker van Persie.
Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to land the Holland star, who confirmed he will not be signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
In a damning statement, Van Persie questioned Arsenal’s ambition, saying he wants to win trophies but that he and the club “disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward”.
Ferguson wants the English Premier League title back from Manchester City and does not intend to lose out on a player who scored 30 League goals last season.
Van Persie’s shock declaration was met with fury by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who face yet another summer of losing their star.
The striker’s statement on his own website read: “As announced earlier this year, I had a meeting with the boss and Mr Gazidis after the season.
“This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a  contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.
“Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we, in many aspects, disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC.
Champions City will formalise their interest soon with manager Roberto  Mancini desperate to land Van Persie, 28.
City are prepared to offer a whopping £225 000-per-week, which is beyond United’s pay structure. But Ferguson will urge his club to push their financial boundaries and beat City.
Gunners officials were stunned by their captain’s statement. No-one at the club had been told it was coming. — Mailonline.