Aaron Ramsey believes Arsenal can push for the Premier League title if Robin van Persie stays at the club.
Arsenal midfielder unsure whether Van Persie will decide to stay
Aaron Ramsey believes Arsenal can push for the Premier League title if Robin van Persie stays at the club and says there has been no sign from the Dutchman about what he plans to do.
Van Persie inspired the Gunners to a third-placed finish this season with 30 league goals and Ramsey recognises how important it is to keep hold of the striker.
There has been speculation that he could leave Emirates Stadium this summer in search of silverware, but Ramsey insists those ambitions can be fulfilled without moving elsewhere.
"It's important we keep Robin if we seriously want to be title contenders," he said in the
Sun on Sunday.
"He has proven this season what his value is to the team with the goals he has scored.
"It's important to keep those sort of players at the club.
"He was our top goal-scorer, won the Golden Boot and the Player of the Year awards, so any team would want to keep him. Arsenal are no different.
"He hasn't given any of the other lads any indications on what he is going to do.
"Nothing has been said. But, hopefully, he will stay."
Stepping stone
Ramsey struggled at times this season to provide the midfield spark that Arsenal needed and he admits he found it tough as the campaign went on.
But he is confident he will improve next term as he continues to find his way back to peak fitness following the sickening leg injury he suffered against Stoke in February 2010.
He said: "To ask me to play to a high standard week in, week out, in the Premier League when you think of the pace that goes with it, was very physically demanding."
"People do forget how long I was out of the game and what happened. It's been my first full season. Overall, I am happy with the way things have gone.
"From where I was with the injury I think I've done pretty well.
"It was a long season and it was something my body has not been used to. It was quite obvious I would get tired towards the end.
"Although I've been pretty pleased, there is still a lot more to come. I know that.
"But this season has been a good stepping stone for me."
