Wenger confident Van Persie will remain at the club next season Arsene Wenger insists he has no intention of selling talismanic captain Robin van Persie this summer, even with Arsenal closing in on the £10.9million signing of Lukas Podolski. Speculation over Van Persie\'s future at the Emirates Stadium has intensified in recent weeks given the Dutchman\'s blistering form which has seen him net 32 goals this term, making him the odds-on favourite to be crowned PFA Player of the Year,
The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2013, and with talks yet to take place over a contract extension at the behest of Van Persie, who wants to concentrate on matters on the field, Gunners fans are increasingly worred another big name could leave the club.
Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas both opted for moves away last summer and with Arsenal now destined to finish a seventh successive season without a trophy, many fans are worried Van Persie may seek pastures new in a bid to compete for major honours.
Roberto Mancini\'s admission this past week that he was interested in bringing the former Feyenoord forward to Manchester City has hardly helped matters, but Wenger is adamant \'RVP\' will be staying put, regardless who he may or may not bring in. \"Our plan is to keep Robin van Persie even if we buy any player,\" he said.
Discussing City\'s interest in his skipper, he added: \"What is said of you by other clubs is part of the job. What is important is how much you want to win the next game. All the rest is basically not important. Robin is the leader of our club. He is under contract until 2013. You do your job, which he does very well, and enjoy your games.\"
Meanwhile, Wenger has refused to confirm reports the club have agreed a deal with Bundesliga side FC Cologne for the transfer of Podolski, 26, in the summer, insisting no deal has been done.
It has been claimed over the past few days the Germany international has turned down a lucrative offer from big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala and opted to become Arsenal\'s first major signing of the summer on a four-year deal.
Wenger though is keeping his cards close to his chest, only acknowledging that \"Podolski is a good player\" and leaving it at that. \"I don\'t have a lot to say about that because, if we sign a player, we will inform you. At the moment we have not signed anybody. There is still no agreement.\"