• Premier League

Van Persie leaves Arsenal future open to speculation

ESPN staff
October 6, 2011
Robin van Persie has been one of the rare shining lights in a poor start to the season by Arsenal © Getty Images
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Robin van Persie has done little to quell fears over his Arsenal future whilst on international duty with Netherlands, refusing to confirm his long-term commitment to the north London club.

Van Persie has cut a beleaguered figure as Arsenal captain this season, helping the Gunners to just two Premier League wins in seven matches. Arsene Wenger's side are currently hovering 15th in the table, and former striker Ian Wright recently cast doubts over the future of Van Persie, who has less than two years to run on his current contract.

"I would not blame Robin van Persie if he left now," Wright told Sky Sports News. "Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal board have had enough time, with what has happened to players in previous years when they have run their contracts down.

"If they have not got themselves in a position where they can offer Robin van Persie something to make him stay, or Arsene Wenger to give him an incentive to make him stay with regard to the players they are going to buy and where the club is going...

"He is like anyone else, he wants success, to win stuff and play in finals and unfortunately at the minute that is not happening. For me that would be a real gutter if he left."

Van Persie faced questions over his future ahead of Netherlands' Euro 2012 qualifier with Moldova, where he was asked if he would follow Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri by leaving Arsenal.

"I do not know [what I will do], I cannot predict the future," Van Persie responded in the Times. "Everybody makes his own history and only afterwards can you see how that went."

Pressed on whether he would be tempted to join the growing number of former Arsenal players to join Manchester City, as Nasri did during the summer, Van Persie was equally evasive. Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure have both been tempted by City's millions, and Van Persie confessed things change rapidly in football.

"I do not know," the striker said of a move to City. "For one thing, as an indication, when I came to Arsenal we immediately beat City. But in recent years much has happened in England.

"Nevertheless, I think the Premier League is still the best league in the world, it gives me everything I want."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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