The Dutch centre-forward disclosed he was not given a new contract to remain in North London prior to his move to Old Trafford.
Robin van Persie says that he was not given a new contract in Arsenal prior to making his sensational move to Manchester United.
Together with his move to Manchester viewed as a betrayal by Arsenal fans, Van Persie insisted that he was not given a brand new deal to remain at London, but he regrets how he left.
“Should I look back at that whole scenario, I must check at myself too, where I might have done or might have done something differently. That open letter, I should not have done this.
“In this delicate, challenging situation of producing a move after spending a lot time in Arsenal, to make a choice to write an open letter to inform my reality in two pages was hopeless.
“And it was the very fact that Arsenal didn’t provide me a fresh thing. If I look back then, I must have done that much better.
“I will assure you on my children, if a person includes evidence that Arsenal provided me a deal, I’ll provide you a million [pounds] today, now.”
After Van Persie was picking his future at the conclusion of this 2011-12 effort, the Gunners had not won the league title since 2004 – a statistic that still remains today.
He says that he offered up hints on how the club might enhance going forward, but they were not well received by Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis.
“It was Arsenal’s choice to not provide me a deal and that’s up to them. After many discussions it became apparent that we had different thoughts concerning the club,” Van Persie explained.
“I had seven things at which I thought Arsenal might enhance and in my view those seven things they need to begin dealing with them right away to have the ability to compete with the top teams.
“It does not really matter what they are, what matters is that Ivan determined he did not agree with a single stage of these seven things, that is reasonable enough.
“So taking that advice about the board, Arsenal does not provide me a bargain, but they did not agree with my views that was only to assist, and honest opinions of how the club must proceed which is a really clear message”
