Wenger must cure Van Persie hangover by spending big

The sale of Robin van Persie to bitter rivals Manchester United prefigured a dismal week for Arsenal. An exasperating 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland in their opening Premier League fixture sealed it.

Though the Gunners controlled possession against a Black Cats side characterised solely by gutsy defending, their performance was all-too-similar to dominant performances last term that required Van Persie's predatory instincts to salvage three points-josh clarke