Empics

Van Persie: Pondering his future

The 25-year-old Holland forward's contract expires at the end of next season and he confirmed the Gunners have offered him a new deal.

''Financially the last offer made by the club is fine but that isn't everything for me. It's about my ambitions and how they can be fulfilled in the coming years. The club and I want the same and it is our intention we achieve that,'' he told The Sun

''Arsenal have promised me they will do everything possible to make that extra step to a level where we win prizes on a regular basis.

''In the last four years I've had only one prize, the FA Cup, and that's not enough.

''I want to achieve more and I feel I can play an important role in bringing Arsenal to a higher level.''

With Arsenal fifth in the Premier League and five points behind Aston Villa in the last Champions League place Van Persie's fear must be that next season the Gunners will not feature in Europe's top competition - unless they win it this year.

Although it has been a disappointing season for the Gunners the club will point to the capture of Andrei Arshavin as evidence of their ambition.