Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

New deal tempts van Persie

31 Mar 2009 - 15:21:18

Click To Enlarge

Netherlands international Robin van Persie has hinted that he is ready to pen a new long-term deal with Arsenal.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 60 goals in 170 appearances for the Gunners following his arrival from Feyenoord almost five years ago, is keen to settle down and claims his bad-boy days are behind him.

He told Champions magazine: "I believe the wild days are behind you when you reach 25. From this age on, you should be reaping the rewards of what you've learned.

"After seven years in professional football I now have what I need to go further. I've heard and seen enough - it's as if I've crossed a barrier. I see players between 25 and 30 having their best years.

"In Spanish papers there are so many names mentioned and I haven't heard anything concrete from Barcelona.

"I can't do anything about those rumours. I'm still in negotiations with Arsenal and it's going well, in a very positive atmosphere. There are further meetings planned.

"Financially Arsenal's last offer is fine but that isn't everything for me. It's about my ambitions and how they can be fulfilled.

"The club and I want the same and it's our intention to achieve that. We have all the other factors in place - fantastic stadium, dedicated support and money in the bank.

"Now it's about making that final push. In the last four years, I've only won one prize, the FA Cup - and that is too little."