Is that goodbye? The question rippled through the visitors section at The Hawthorns as Robin van Persie strode towards them for a third curtain call.
He had already been over once with the rest of the squad for a collective whoop in recognition of Arsenal's third-placed finish. Then again after the players had fetched Pat Rice to give the departing stalwart the bumps. But what prompted Van Persie to come back again, by himself, for a final wave?
The moment prompted the travelling fans to find their inner Woody Allen.
What did he mean? Why an extra bow? Is it just because he is captain? Was he just overflowing with happiness? Might that be farewell?
Arsenal have been here so often, in the position of analysing the end-of-season gestures of particularly coveted players. They had it with Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fábregas. Now it is Van Persie's turn. The Premier League's top scorer tensed up ever so slightly when the post-match flash interview mentioned his contractual situation. Rather like the extra wave, people looked for clues but found no answers. "We will have a chat next week somewhere and go from there," he said diplomatically.
Here is what we do know. Arsenal are super keen for their talisman to sign an extension to a contract that expires in a year's time. They are also intent on avoiding the kind of prolonged limbo that was so destabilising last summer with Fábregas and Samir Nasri. Meetings are set for this week when Arsenal will put what they hope is a good enough offer on the table, one which will exceed their maximum wages so far. They know they cannot match the packages proposed by the wealthiest, but are hopeful that Van Persie's affection for the club, sense of responsibility as captain, and the happiness of his family in London will hold significant sway.
An interview with his wife, Bouchra, in the Dutch magazine Heroes suggested there is more to this decision than finance. "We have been in London for eight years now. As a family, we love it here," she said. "We don't want to upset things at home either. Our kids, Shaqueel and Dina, go to school here in London. And they are just as happy as we are. We have to make some decisions at some point. But it is not just about Robin. He also thinks about us, his children and me."
Ambition, clearly, would be also a factor for any player in Van Persie's position. This is his last major deal. Can his club give him a realistic platform to win things? When he joins up with his Dutch team-mates for the European Championship, it is noticeable he does not have the medals many of his peers have. One FA Cup from 2005 and a Uefa Cup from 2002 does not stack up compared to the other experienced members of the squad. The likes of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong have rather more on their mantelpieces.
Arsène Wenger has stated that he wants Van Persie's situation resolved before his striker heads off for the Euros at the end of this week. It would be remarkable if they can hammer out a deal quickly enough for that to be the case, but that is the goal. The key protagonists in negotiations are Wenger himself, the chief executive Ivan Gazidis, Richard Law, from the Football Operations team, and Van Persie's agent, Kees Vos. The role of Darren Dein, an associate of Van Persie's who spends a lot of time with him, is unclear. The son of Arsenal's former vice-chairman David Dein is, however, linked with having arranged the high profile departures of Fábregas and Henry.
Arsenal clearly have to demonstrate that lessons have been learned after the fiasco of last summer, and show they are in position to build, rather than see some foundations ripped out before a hasty reconstruction.
The early capture of Lukas Podolski was a good start. But it is vital that the Van Persie situation does not morph into another long-running saga.
Arsenal were dismayed this time last year that they were forced into a corner over the Fábregas and Nasri situations. While they view the Fábregas sale as something of a unique case (given that it was not subject to the usual market forces as it was universally accepted that he would only leave for Barcelona) the Nasri problem was the one which reflected the worst of their predicament. He would not sign a new deal, and yet his buyers did not come up with an offer until painfully late in the window. Arsenal were stuck in the mud.
They have to avoid a replica scenario with Van Persie. It is worth remembering that the Dutchman is not the only player in this position. Theo Walcott is also entering the final year of his contract.
Clearly, an important week lies ahead for Arsenal's negotiators. The fact that they believe Van Persie has not yet had his head turned, at least gives them a fighting chance.
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 14 May 12
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