Arsenal face an exodus if they don't pay us more, warns top Gunner Van Persie



Robin van Persie has warned Arsenal they could lose all their star players if they don't change their financial structure during the summer.

Van Persie is currently discussing a new deal, but knows the north London club are not in line with other big teams in Europe when it comes to paying players' salaries.

Arsenal fans were disappointed to see Mathieu Flamini leave the club at the end of the season after he failed to agree a new contract and was able to join AC Milan as a free agent.

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Firing a warning: Van Persie says Arsenal risk the squad breaking up

Uncertainty continues to surround the long-term futures of Alexander Hleb, Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor, and Van Persie worries that the team could break up if the Arsenal board do not review their contract negotiations.

Van Persie said: "They should make sure that these players stay. Arsenal have a policy in which they will not go over a specific amount of money when agreeing the salary of a player.

Ready for action: Van Persie trains with Holland ahead of Euro 2008

"They won't pay enormous amounts of money. I think that they should go to a higher level of salary.

"If you want to keep the group together, you have to keep them happy. If you are 27 or 28, I can understand that you would make the decision to go elsewhere if you can earn three or four times as much.

"If that sort of money was also paid here, I'm sure that person would stay."



Van Persie has a contract with Arsenal until 2011 and is not in a hurry to put pen to paper. The Holland international says it is not all about money and that he loves playing for Arsenal in the Premier League.

But he also knows that other clubs are paying their players a lot more and does not want to see his side lose their best players and fail to challenge for silverware next season.

Van Persie, speaking from the Holland training camp in Hoenderloo, added: "It is the principle. It is very important that Arsenal keep these guys. This group is unique. If a number of them leave, it will be different.

"I think of myself as an Arsenal man but Arsenal should also try to make sure that we all grow together."