RVP’s time at Arsenal

Robin van Persie signed for Arsenal on the 17th of May 2004 at a price of £2.75 million from Feyenoord.
I remember almost immediately wanting him to succeed and believed in his abilities, knowing very little about him. I think it was down to pundits and journos claiming we’d bought the wrong Dutchman, with Arjen Robben having a better time of things with rivals Chelsea.
Admittedly, Robin brought with him a reputation of being antagonistic, petulant, and disparaging. A reputation that perhaps intimidated other clubs and coaches from making a move when the Rotterdam-based side made the Dutch Football Talent of the Year 2001-02 winner read...