Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has stressed the importance of keeping Robin van Persie at the Emirates Stadium.
The Netherlands international is in the last year of his contract at the north London club, and is thought to be stalling on signing a new contract.
With Vieira’s new side Manchester City waiting in the wings and eager to bring the prolific forward to the Etihad Stadium, the Frenchman has admitted that losing their captain would be a sickening blow for Arsenal.
“I think losing Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last year was a big shock for Arsenal – and if they lose Robin this year, it will be a trauma,” he told Mirror Football.
“When Samir and Cesc left, you could say, ‘OK, but we still have Van Persie and Jack Wilshere at the club.’
“But if Robin leaves, that means next year it may be Theo Walcott, next year it’s Wilshere, and it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal to keep their top players.
“I’m quite surprised they have waited until he has only a year left on his contract to talk to him. It’s difficult to find players of Robin’s quality anywhere in the world with only a year left – especially strikers who can score 34 goals in a season. It’s difficult to understand.
“Robin wants to win trophies – and Arsenal have to prove he can do it with them.
“We know that Robin loves Arsenal. That is not the question – the real question is how Arsene Wenger will convince Robin they can win trophies,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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