• Premier League

Arsenal confident Van Persie will stay

ESPN staff
December 15, 2011
Robin van Persie has an excellent relationship with his manager Arsene Wenger © Getty Images
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Arsenal remain positive that Robin van Persie will commit his long-term future to the club.

Van Persie has taken his form to a new level this term and seems set to break Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year.

The Dutchman's form, which has brought 33 Premier League goals in 32 games this year, has put a host of clubs on red alert and there is concern among Arsenal fans that Van Persie could leave.

Arsenal have put talks on hold so as not to distract the forward who has 18 months remaining on his contract, but chairman Peter Hill-Wood is not worried about the situation.

"I think Robin wants to stay," Hill-Wood told the Daily Star. "He seems very happy.

"Nothing has been discussed, though it is obvious we want him to stay. He doesn't want to talk about a contract now and that's fine with us."

Meanwhile, forward Theo Walcott has praised Arsenal's recent form, with the club back in with a shout for a top-four finish after winning seven of their last eight league matches.

"Our new players needed time to gel, time to settle. They had to get used to the way the club is run. It was always going to take time," Walcott said in the Daily Express.

"We had injuries as well. Things were not going our way, but the way we've played in the last few weeks, it's nice to see us move up the table."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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