Former Gunner Ray Parlour blasted: “That’s a joke. I wouldn’t have that. At half-time? He should be concentrating on his game and he was having a nightmare. “He can’t play in a back four as he gets caught out of position all the time.” RVP put United ahead inside three minutes — his 10th goal since a £22million summer switch from Arsenal. Patrice Evra added a second before Santi Cazorla’s late strike for the Gunners. Fans took to Twitter to rage at Santos, signed for £5.6million from Fenerbahce last season. TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote: “If Santos really asked for, and got #VanPursestrings’ shirt as they walked off at half-time, he should never play for Arsenal again.”
Former Middlesbrough striker Jan Aage Fjortoft added: “Arsenal give Van Persie a goal. Van Persie gives Santos a Manchester United shirt.” Gunners fans were fuming with Santos — joking that it was the closest he got to Van Persie all day. Gunners blogger @LeGrove wrote: “Santos taking Robin’s shirt at half time? Priorities... and jeez, how old are you?” Others included @bkooory, who added: “How pathetic would a player have 2 be, asking 4 an opponents shirt at half-time.” Van Persie refused to celebrate his goal — despite being jeered by travelling Gooners. He said: “I played at Arsenal for eight years and had a fantastic time. It was out of respect for the fans, players, manager and the whole club.” United’s Rio Ferdinand added: “He showed a bit more class than their fans showed to him.”
