Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has intensified rumours he may quite the club by refusing to discuss his future.
The Dutchman, who is now the Arsenal captain following Cesc Fabregas’ departure, is out of contract in 2013 and the Gunners are keen to tie him down to a new deal before next summer. Failing to secure Van Persie’s long-term future will leave Arsenal in a similar situation to what they found themselves in with Nasri and Clichy, who were both sold to Man City this summer after refusing to extend their stay at the Emirates.
But the future of Van Persie is now critical to Arsene Wenger, and the teams current form has left the Dutchman with concerns over the clubs potential to compete with the top teams, but he does stress he has full faith that the Gunners can turn things around:
“I have every trust in the things we are doing within the club,” he said in the Sunday Mirror. “There is only a fine line between winning and losing. Just look at our last match against Spurs. We could have won that game with the chances we had. There is no need to panic for anyone.”
However, the striker has made it clear he won’t be drawn on his future any time soon and claims nobody can predict the future:
“I am not going to make any statements about my future,” he said. “Not now, not for a while. I’ve been at Arsenal eight years and that is quite extraordinary these days. Which is why I treasure this. What my future will bring, nobody knows.
“I can understand people are curious, but I am just dedicated to everything at Arsenal right now. Since November last year I’ve played lots of games, scored lots of goals and made assists. Twelve months’ non-stop football is doing me well. I feel that I am still growing in form. It is the first time in quite a few years that I can experience that.
“My future is a private matter and, when at some point there could be some news, people will hear it. And I do realise that we have to get things going at Arsenal, but I have full confidence that we are going to do okay.”
