by ‘Ifreke Inyang

Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his desire to keep wantaway captain, Robin van Persie, at Arsenal. The 28-year-old released a statement earlier in the month, stating that he will not pen a new deal with the London club.

“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.” Wenger 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 Frenchman said he doesn’t want a repeat of last summer’s situation, where he was forced to make last-minute buys, after Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri sealed moves away from the club.

“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.”