Arsene Wenger hopes to tie up the future of Arsenal captain Robin van Persie before the Dutchman heads off to Euro 2012.
Arsenal boss wants to tie Dutchman to deal before Euros
Arsene Wenger hopes to tie up the future of Arsenal captain Robin van Persie before the Dutchman heads off to Euro 2012.
Van Persie has remained free of injury to plunder 34 goals which have fired the Gunners back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League. He is set to make his 50th appearance of the season for club and country against Chelsea live on Sky Sports 2HD.
The 28-year-old's current contract expires in the summer of 2013, and there has been speculation Europe's top clubs may move for the striker.
But Arsenal boss Wenger wants a resolution to the contract situation before his captain joins up with the Netherlands squad at a training camp in Switzerland on May 17 - just 72 hours after the final Premier League game at West Brom.
Asked about Van Persie's contract situation, Wenger said: "That will be sorted at the end of the season."
Pressed on whether the resolution would be before the European Championships, Wenger replied: "Yes."
Van Persie was pictured at Barcelona's team hotel in London ahead of their midweek Champions League game against Chelsea.
Wenger, though, maintained there was nothing untoward in that.
"I am not concerned," the Arsenal manager said. "After the game you can go to have dinner. He has got friends there. [Ibrahim] Affelay, [Cesc] Fabregas. Why shouldn't he?"
Van Persie is expected to be crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday night, which could well be followed up by the prestigious Football Writers' Association accolade.
Wenger is in no doubt about the impact of his captain on the Gunners' campaign, which at one stage looked very much in crisis.
While Van Persie has netted just once in his last six Arsenal appearances, Wenger rejected suggestions the Dutchman was burnt out.
"When you play 50 games at that level you suffer a little bit," he said. "It is beyond expectation and for a striker it is massive.
"Physically, Robin is good. He has a very healthy life very focused on football - he takes care of everything. That is why he manages to do that."
