Well Bobby you call me cynical and narrow minded. I have no problems wit that.
My impression is that English fans are extremely naïve and "romantic" in those things (and apparently some Brazilians too).
Like i already siad dozens of times: they are professionals, they are thinking in terms of "carreer" and not in terms of loyalty (or love) towards a club. Somebody in this thread (and i think it was you Bobby) that it is not a profession like any other...i don't agree with that...almost every profession is like any other once you are in it.
Yes there are players that stay loyal to one club, but they are big exceptions, players like Le Tissier. I'm not even thinking about players like Giggs and Scholes, because for those players it was "easy" to stay loyal to the most succesfull club in the world (did i actually wrote that?).
There is one part where i agree with you: i also think that Van Persie thinks he still has something to give back (or to prove) to Arsenal. But the cynical/ narrow minded in me is sure that this would not stop him to ask for a transfer if he gets a better or more attractive offer. If Wigan would do an offer, Van Persie will stay at Arsenal. But imagine Barcelona making an offer for Van Persie...are you sure that Van Persie will stay at Arsenal? I'm pretty sure he will ask for a transfer.