• Premier League

Oxlade-Chamberlain urges Van Persie to stay at Arsenal

ESPN staff
May 24, 2012

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fears Arsenal would not be able to fill the void left by Robin van Persie if the striker leaves the club this summer.

Van Persie has been in prolific form this season, scooping multiple awards after scoring 30 Premier League goals in 38 matches.

Having been linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium, the Netherlands international has been in talks with the club over a new deal, and Oxlade-Chamberlain remains hopeful the Dutchman can sign a new contract.

"It's clear how important he has been for us with the goals he's scored, he is one of the best strikers in the world," Oxlade-Chamberlain told the Sun.

"He's a massive part of the dressing room, helping all of us and speaking to the manager about what we're feeling, what we want and what we can do better. He even does the little things like arranging get-togethers with players' wives and barbecues and fun days and golf days."

And Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has linked up with the England squad in Manchester this week, admits Van Persie has been a great role model for him at Arsenal.

"He told me that when he first came to Arsenal it was quite similar to me how the boss dipped him in and dipped him out," he said. "He would score a goal then wouldn't play the next game or he might score two and he wouldn't get on in the next game or would play five minutes.

"He told me to keep working hard and bide my time and keep plugging away and my time will come. Before games he tells me to do this or that or go here on a corner. He's a big leader. It will be good if he stays, definitely. I don't know if he will but I hope he does."

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