“I think that door is closed” – Arsenal icon can’t see return in future, aware he burned his bridges

Robin van Persie has admitted he doesn’t think he’ll ever make a return to Arsenal, as he knows he burned his bridges by going to Manchester United.

FEAN Online cover comments from the Heerenveen coach today as he makes his way in the coaching game.

He retired in July 2019 after a career that saw him play for Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahce.

He moves to Arsenal from Feyenoord in a €4.5m deal in July 2004 and went on to enjoy a fruitful eight-year spell with the club in which he scored 132 goals and registered 56 assists in 278 games.

That relationship was undeniably damaged when he moved to Manchester United in 2012 and went on to score 58 goals and register 15 assists in 105 games for the club as well as being the key man in United’s Premier League title win that season.

That was very much seen as a betrayal at the time and the sentiment has not changed towards the Dutch striker at Arsenal in the 12 years since.

He’s more than aware of that and believes there won’t be a return to Arsenal in future as a result, even if he would like it.

“Well, I don’t expect to work at Arsenal. I think that door is closed,” he told Sportcast.

“Because of my switch to Manchester United, that is my assessment. You never know in football, but that is my assessment. It is still sensitive for them, not for me. It is especially sensitive for the Arsenal fans.

“I have learned that planning so far ahead makes no sense at all. I don’t want that either. I mainly live in the here and now. I really enjoy it here and I am very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen. I feel I feel very welcome within the club and among the fans. I also think that is important that you feel welcome.”