Keown: Give Van Persie time

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes Robin van Persie must be given the time he needs as the Gunners skipper decides his future.

The Dutchman plundered 30 Barclays Premier League goals to help fire Arsenal to a third place finish, ending what had been a testing campaign on a high with Champions League football secure once again. The 28-year-old still has 12 months left on his current deal, but so far talks over what is understood to be a lucrative extension have yet to be concluded.

With the likes of Manchester City and new Italian champions Juventus ready to offer big money to lure him away from the Emirates Stadium, former Arsenal defender Keown said: "We need to give Robin time and not suffocate him."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.