It was, at the same time, another superb bit of business by Arsenal and a brilliant coup by Manchester United two days before the new season begins.
Arsenal will receive £24 million for Robin van Persie, who started less than 50 percent of the Premier League games the Gunners played during his eight years with the club.
Only once did he start more than 20 matches. Van Persie's move to Old Trafford brought the profit made by Arsene Wenger in the transfer market since his appointment in 1996 to around £175 million.