Wenger plays down Van Persie fears

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed concerns that Robin van Persie will opt to leave the club instead of signing a new contract.

The Dutch striker has told the club he will not start negations on a new contract until next year, despite having less than two years on his existing deal.

The Gunners sold Samir Nasri in the recent transfer window with the Frenchman having less than a year of his contract left, but Wenger is confident Van Persie will not follow the same path.

When quizzed on whether they can agree a new contract, Wenger told reporters: “That depends on us, on him. On our side we are quite clear, so that’s no problem.”

“I do not say there’s no problem because it doesn’t only depend on us. I say we are clear with our intention, and after that you have to respect he has nearly two years to go, so let’s not make an immediate issue of something like that.”

“Two years in football is a very, very long time.”

Wenger was full of praise for Van Persie after the forward scored his 100th goal for the north London club in their 3-0 win at home to Bolton over the weekend.

He added: “I have a high level of expectation for him and his performances are as high as I expect them to be.”

“I’m very demanding with Robin, and he does as well as I expect him to be. He plays well with the team, with the other players, and he finishes.”

“His finishing record is absolutely fantastic. He scored 26 goals in 31 games and he’s not only a finisher.”