Wenger - I want to keep Van Persie here

Arsène Wenger has re-iterated his

desire to keep Robin van Persie at

Arsenal Football Club.

Earlier this summer, the Dutch

striker indicated he would not be

signing a new deal at Emirates

Stadium - a decision that prompted

speculation he may leave north

London.

The 28-year-old is missing the

Club’s tour of Asia in order to work

on his fitness. Before departing the

UK himself, Wenger indicated he

wanted to retain his captain but he would be pragmatic about the situation.

“For me, Van Persie is one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best,

and my desire is to keep him at the Club.” he told Arsenal Player.

“As for the rest I will do what is in the best interests of Arsenal Football Club.

That, at the moment, is where we are. There is not a lot more to say than

that.”

However the manager is aware that an on-going situation could affect his

side’s start to the new Premier League season. They suffered in that period

last year and he would act to avoid a repeat.

“Robin was an exceptional leader last year,” he said, “but we know how

much we had to fight to come third because we missed out the start of the

season. After seven games we had lost four and we have learned that for us

it is vital for us to focus on the start of the season rather than on any

transfers.

“If the transfers happen, they happen. As long as you are at the Club you

give your best for the Club and that is the only pride you can have as a

football player and as a manager.

“As long as you are somewhere you give your best every day for that club. If

it changes, it changes. I am convinced that Robin is like that, he is

completely focused every day on his job. He loves football, he loves the

game and as long as he is here he will do that.”