Van Persie set for Emirates exit

Arsenal must decide whether to cash in on wantaway striker Robin van Persie after the captain insisted he had to leave the Emirates Stadium to win trophies.

Holland international Van Persie on Wednesday night issued a carefully-worded statement on his official website revealing he would not be penning an extension to his current deal with the Gunners, which expires next summer. The 28-year-old netted 37 goals in all competitions last season as Arsenal eventually secured third place.

Manager Arsene Wenger recently declared the club must retain their talisman "at all costs", but - despite meeting with Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis at the end of last season and the signings of Germany striker Lukas Podolski as well as France forward Olivier Giroud - Van Persie remains unconvinced he can fulfil his ambitions with the club he joined from Feyenoord in 2004.

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