Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has explained to fans exactly why he was at the Barcelona team hotel after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea this week.
The Dutch striker, who has not yet signed a new contract with the Gunners and thus has left Arsenal fans anxious over any perceived indications towards a transfer move, explained his actions in the official matchday programme for the team’s game against Chelsea today.
“The explanation is really very simple,” said Van Persie. “My very good friend Ibrahim Afellay plays for Barcelona.”
“After a bad long-term injury he was finally back with the team – and during his absence I had been in contact with him a lot, but I hadn’t seen him. This was an opportunity for me to go and visit a close friend, show him my support and catch up.
“Unfortunately this had to be at the hotel, because he was not permitted to leave it. I was wearing my Arsenal tracksuit and we sat down by the reception to have a chat and some food – everyone could see us and there was nothing to hide. I can’t imagine anyone conducting transfer negotiations in these circumstances!”
The forward also reaffirmed his stance that he has not yet decided on his club future, while seemingly hinting at the ongoing speculation which has led fans to mistakenly jump to conclusions.
““The visit to the hotel was a social one and had nothing to do with the future of my career,” he explained.
“I do have a social life next to football, even if my wife tells me that it sometimes doesn’t seem that way! Nothing has changed in the sense that my intention remains to discuss my future in the summer.”
