Robin Van Persie sees Arsenal’s title hopes slip away

And Robin Van Persie has hinted he may wait to see whether the Gunners become winners again before committing his future beyond his present contract, which has two years left to run. His assessment of where Arsenal currently stand is another blow to manager Arsene Wenger, who is battling to try to keep skipper Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and this week lost out to Manchester United in his bid to sign defender Phil Jones. Wenger has made enquiries for Lille duo Gervinho and Eden Hazard and defenders Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba, but Van Persie already fears the title may be out of Arsenal’s reach. “Every year it always goes wrong in an identical way and that is frustrating,” said Van Persie. “When you look at results in the last years, then Arsenal shouldn’t be talking about winning the league because too many times things have gone wrong.

Every year it always goes wrong in an identical way and that is frustrating Robin van Persie

“Sometimes you have to eat the truth and be realistic. But I do believe with the signing of a number of players, then next season we should be in there competing for prizes. “Even now it’s still unbelievable that we didn’t win the Carling Cup as that was the breakthrough moment, showing everyone that we could win a cup and create a belief within the team. It still hurts. It was so stupid and I ask myself how that came about. “But it’s important that one must n ot stay too long dwelling over disappointments. Desire and motivation is 60, 70 per cent decisive in what level a player reaches in his career.” Fears within the Emirates are growing that the Gunners will be forced to sell Nasri this summer because he will not sign a new contract, although Wenger will do everything in his power to keep the forward out of United’s clutches.

Nasri recently made it clear that he would be comfortable to join another English club – apart from Tottenham – when he said: “I’m not saying I will not play for another English club – except Spurs. When I play for one club, I can ’t play for their biggest rivals. “Money is not the most important thing. I am 23, what’s important is that I have a good team that can get better.” Desperate to avoid a situation similar to that of Nasri, Arsenal want to hand striker Van Persie a three-year extension to his present contract, which expires in two years and make him the club’s joint highest-paid player on £90,000 a week. But 27-year-old Van Persie has made it clear that it is not money or a glamorous lifestyle that is attractive to him. He is desperate to play at the highest level for as long as possible.

“The really top players aren’t fooled by riches or fame because they are fully focused with their football,” he said . “It isn’t easy. Sometimes a certain amount of nonchalance can creep in and everywhere in the world you see it goes wrong when players start playing casually. “I was in New York not so long ago and saw Thierry Henry playing. When you see him chasing and playing with so much desire it’s fantastic. Thierry is still hungry to win. He is a true lover of the game and I also have that in me. I hope I can keep playing as long as him. “Look at players like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Clarence Seedorf, Edwin van der Sar and Dennis Bergkamp. They managed to keep on playing for so long because they lived like true professionals.