LONDON: Robin van Persie’s future at Arsenal is hanging in the balance after the Netherlands striker announced yesterday he will not be extending his contract with the Premier League club.
Van Persie said he held talks about his future with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis and manager Arsene Wenger before the European Championship “but ... it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.”
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract,” Van Persie, the club’s captain and top scorer last season, wrote on his official website.
The Dutchman, who has one year left on his current contract, said more meetings were planned with Arsenal once Gazidis returned from holiday in the United States.
A number of leading European clubs have been linked with a move for Van Persie, including new English champion Manchester City and Italian champion Juventus.
Van Persie carried the London club at times last season, scoring 37 goals in all competitions — including a Premier League-high 30 — as Arsenal qualified for the Champions League. However, he endured a poor Euro 2012 by his high standards, scoring one goal as the Netherlands exited at the group stage.
He moved to Arsenal from Dutch club Feyenoord in 2004 but the club hasn’t won a trophy since 2005.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days,” Van Persie said.
Perhaps with the departure of Van Persie in mind, Wenger has signed two strikers — Olivier Giroud from Montpellier and Lukas Podolski from Cologne — in the offseason.
Van Persie says he won’t renew Arsenal contract
