Arsenal fearful after Van Persie spotted at Barcelona hotel

ARSENAL fans are over the moon that Robin van Persie looks set to take the ‘Player of the Year’ award this season, but their faces may drop when they realise how much interest their star striker is attracting in the transfer market. Indeed, the cream of European football might already be buttering him up.

The Daily Mail has spotted Van Persie at the hotel where Barcelona are currently staying ahead of their Champions League clash with Chelsea tomorrow – and the paper has been speculating as to why a talented international footballer with one year left on his contract might be hanging out with the best team in the world. Those of a less suspicious bent might assume he was catching up with fellow Dutchman Ibrahim Afellay at the Marriott hotel on Park Lane. Others appear to believe Van Persie wants to move up in the world.

If the Arsenal captain were to move to Spain, he would be only the latest in a long line of former Gunners – Fabregas, Nasri, Adebayor, Toure, Clichy – to be lured away from the Emirates with the promise of big bucks.

There’s bad news elsewhere for the north London club, as Inter Milan intend to beat Arsenal to the signing of Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila, according to the Metro.

The Italian club, who last month sacked coach Claudio Ranieri, will appoint Laurent Blanc as his successor once the former World Cup winner has overseen France’s Euro 2012 campaign. And that’s not all: according to the Metro, Inter are about to make an audacious bid for M’Vila, despite the fact Arsenal have long been linked to the 21-year-old playmaker.

Taking its information from French sports daily L’Equipe, the Metro says that Inter will first hire Blanc as their coach and then use him as bait to lure M’Vila to the San Siro.

Apparently Inter will offer Rennes £10m for M’Vila in the summer and are confident he will agree to the move because of the prospect of working under Blanc, a coach he knows well from his time in the France side, not to mention the fact that Arsenal can’t even beat a team like Wigan these days.

That’s also the reason that Ajax central defender Jan Vertonghen might opt for Newcastle rather than the Gunners.

It had seemed a racing certainty that the 24-year-old would join Arsenal in the summer but The Daily Telegraph reports that Newcastle now fancy their chances of snaring the Belgian international. Magpies’ manager Alan Pardew watched Vertonghen in action for Ajax at the weekend and the Telegraph says it’s a sign that Newcastle are increasingly confident of pipping Arsenal to third spot, thereby qualifying automatically for next season’s Champion League.

Meanwhile AC Milan are preparing to make another attempt to persuade Manchester City to part with Carlos Tevez. The argumentative Argentine, who scored a hat-trick for the Sky Blues at the weekend in his first start since falling out with Roberto Mancini in September, has long been a matter of interest for Milan.

Italian rag Corriere dello Sport reports that Tevez almost made a loan move to Milan in January, only for the deal to fall through when City told the Italian outfit they would only offload the striker in a permanent transfer. Now it appears AC Milan will accept the proposition, paying City upwards of £30m in the summer.

And he won’t be the only new player heading to Italy in the close season, says Talksport, which reports that AC Milan are favourites to land Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa when June’s transfer window opens.

The 23-year-old has been in sparkling form this season for the German club and is out of contract at the end of next season. That’s alerted Milan, as well as Chelsea, and the pair are both vying for the services of the Japanese ace. But if the Blues want to sign Kagawa they’ll have to qualify for next season’s Champions League otherwise he’ll go with AC Milan who are guaranteed qualification for Europe’s premier competition.

In other news Russian website Tden has reported that Fulham striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has moved into Jose Mourinho’s old gaff in Chelsea, prompting speculation that the on-loan marksman will be turning his temporary residence at the Cottage into a more permanent stay.

Pogrebnyak joined Fulham on loan from Stuttgart in January and becomes a free agent in June. But speaking to Tden, the Russian said: “I like my life in London very much”, and hinted that he’ll be staying put at Fulham

Robin van Persie leading race for PFA award

Robin van Persie drew a blank against Wigan last night but is expected to be celebrating winning the PFA’s top award by the end of the week.

The prolific Arsenal striker was immediately installed as the odds-on favourite for the Players’ Player of the Year prize by bookmakers after being named among the nominees by the Professional Footballers’ Association yesterday.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker and the Manchester City trio of Joe Hart, Sergio Aguero and David Silva made up a six-man shortlist, but it would be a surprise if Van Persie is not named the winner on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Dutchman has struck 34 times in all competitions for the Gunners this season having shrugged off some of the injury problems that have hampered him in the past.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “He has been amazing.

“You could pick half a dozen of his goals out for goal of the season.

“Arsenal were struggling for some time but he was a real talisman for them.

“He seems to have lifted the team and got them back believing in themselves again and looking to qualify for the Champions League, giving all the Arsenal fans some hope.”

The huge impact made by Aguero since his club record £38million move to City from Atletico Madrid last summer is recognised by the fact he is also shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year prize.

The 23-year-old Argentinian has scored 28 goals for Roberto Mancini’s side.

Taylor said: “We have been really fortunate to have a player like Sergio Aguero here.

“He has been a major player for Manchester City and I am not surprised there is talk of Real Madrid wanting him.

“I think Manchester City should work hard to keep him because he is a joy to watch.”

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, who won the senior award last season, is this year nominated only in the young player category.

The 22-year-old Welshman is now regarded as one of the best left-sided players in the world and Taylor would love to see him play for Great Britain at this summer’s Olympics.

He said: “That would be brilliant. If he wants to play, and I hope he does, I think he should be given the opportunity.

“He fully deserves to be in a Great Britain team.”

Bale’s Spurs team-mate Kyle Walker, Arsenal prodigy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge are the other young players in contention.

Robin Van Persie Could Feature Against England Despite Injury Concerns

Robin van Persie could find himself at the centre of a club versus country tug of war, with the striker set to feature in Holland’s friendly with England at Wembley tonight.

Van Persie, who is believed to have a slight groin problem after complaining of pain, was declared able to play by the KNVB, Dutch Football Association, despite not undergoing a fitness test.

As reported by the Guardian, Kees Jansma, spokesperson for the KNVB said: “I think he is ok, he is ok. He is completely fit. Its absolutely not serious, so there is no problem at all.”

His comments are sure to frustrate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made his feelings on players featuring in mid-season friendlies clear on a number of occasions. Wenger even recalled Van Persie ahead of Holland’s game with Germany last November for fear of injury.

Van Persie has found the net 33 times this season and his talismanic display at the weekend helped overcome a 0-2 deficit to beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the north London derby.

With Arsenal facing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Wenger will be hoping his star striker is fit. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and face a Liverpool team brimming with confidence following their Carling Cup Final triumph over Cardiff City.

Arsenal are hoping to consolidate fourth place, as they look for Champions League football next season, however, victory for Kenny Dalglish’s charges will see them just four points off of the gunners.

Robin van Persie could find himself at the centre of a club versus country tug of war, with the striker set to feature in Holland’s friendly with England at Wembley tonight.

Van Persie, who is believed to have a slight groin problem after complaining of pain, was declared able to play by the KNVB, Dutch Football Association, despite not undergoing a fitness test.

As reported by the Guardian, Kees Jansma, spokesperson for the KNVB said: “I think he is ok, he is ok. He is completely fit. Its absolutely not serious, so there is no problem at all.”

His comments are sure to frustrate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made his feelings on players featuring in mid-season friendlies clear on a number of occasions. Wenger even recalled Van Persie ahead of Holland’s game with Germany last November for fear of injury.

Van Persie has found the net 33 times this season and his talismanic display at the weekend helped overcome a 0-2 deficit to beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the north London derby.

With Arsenal facing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Wenger will be hoping his star striker is fit. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and face a Liverpool team brimming with confidence following their Carling Cup Final triumph over Cardiff City.

Arsenal are hoping to consolidate fourth place, as they look for Champions League football next season, however, victory for Kenny Dalglish’s charges will see them just four points off of the gunners.

Arsenal’s Van Persie doubtful for England clash

Holland striker Robin van Persie is a doubt for Wednesday’s friendly against England with a groin injury, Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk has confirmed.

Arsenal‘s talisman Van Persie sat out the last 10 minutes of Holland’s hour-long open training session at Wembley on Tuesday after aggravating the problem, which he originally suffered in the Gunners’ 5-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday, according to the Mirror.

He was in sublime touch against Spurs scoring the equaliser when they 2-0 down with a magnificent left footed volley.

The Arsenal captain, who has been in scintillating form this year, appeared in discomfort towards the end of the training session and missed an eight-a-side practice match at England’s national stadium in north London.

The 28-year-old, who has scored 33 goals for club and country this term, is a doubt for Wembley, although Van Marwijk was optimistic the striker would feature.

Robin van Persie: I’m a true Gunner and I love Arsenal

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf have some comforting words for Arsenal fans from Robin van Persie today. Fresh from their excellent win at the weekend, the Dutch striker has taken steps to calm fears that he’s on his way out of the Emirates.

“I sit there for eight years and I’m proud. At the end of the season I sit down with the trainer and the president. Then we make a cup of coffee all together. I am a true Gunner. I love this club and that’s no secret.”

Van Persie is keen to leave everything until the end of the season, when he’ll only have a year left on his contract. Though he may have the best intentions at heart, the delay has created many rumours and also stirred interest in other clubs who feel they may have a chance of signing him. He’s still determined to wait “We will soon talk about many things. I do quite often with the trainer anyway. Only later on is the president there.”

Robin van Persie is the Premier League’s top scorer with 23 goals for Arsenalalready this season.

Van Persie ‘spurs’ Arsenal to finish on a high

Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie has issued a clarion call to his troops to finish the season on a high and squashed speculation that he is seeking a move out of the Emirates.

“I’m just thinking about Arsenal right now and nobody else. I’m thinking about beating Tottenham at home. I’m thinking about a top-four finish to ensure there is Champions League football for Arsenal yet again next season,” said van Persie in an exclusive report in The Sun.

“I realise there is lots of speculation about my future at the moment. But, rest assured, the only thing in my mind right now is to get Arsenal Football Club back on track and finish the season strong.”

In what could be a season-defining fortnight for Arsenal, they take on Spurs in the north London derby on Sunday and aim to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Milan in the Champions League clash at home on March 6.

“I’m thinking about an early goal against Milan and trying to pull off the improbable. That would be incredible,” said the Dutch international who has been the Premier League’s top goal scorer this season.

Arsenal’s talisman feels the players owe it to their beleaguered manager Arsene Wenger and Gunners faithful to keep battling on despite their chances of ending a seventh season without a trophy being bleak.

“We owe it to our manager and — even more — to our fans. It hurts that Arsene Wenger has had to suffer the criticism he has. It’s a collective sport and there are many reasons why we have not produced the results,” he said taking responsibility for their poor performances in the last couple of games.

“We have amazing fans. It was unbelievable again to see all these fans from across the country and abroad supporting us at Sunderland after a bad loss three days earlier,” he said. “I honestly think we have the best supporters. They are there through thick and thin.”

However, he was confident they have the capacity to bounce back and finish strongly.

“I honestly believe this team has quality and can finish strong. We have come back so strongly after a disappointing start. Believe me, that took massive strength of character,” he said referring to the 8-2 mauling they received at the hands of Manchester United.

“Now we need to do exactly the same again. I am sure we can. There’s definitely no point looking back. What’s done is done, nothing can be changed now.
But we can do something about the future. We can make sure we finish the season in true Arsenal style to do ourselves justice and give the fans a real thrill,” he said.

Describing Sunday’s match as the biggest of the season, van Persie feels “a win against Spurs would protect our position in fourth and keep us ahead of those chasing” as Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle all battle for the Champions League spot.

He even ventured to say despite Arsenal being out of the title race, they can still end with a flourish.

“The Premier League title is beyond us and, maybe, second place too. But while fourth would be good, I haven’t given up on third place. Why not? This is football, after all,” he said optimistically.

AC Milan ‘to offer Arsenal £30m for Robin van Persie’

AC MILAN intend to offer Arsenal £30m for Robin van Persie when they come to London in a fortnight’s time for the second leg of their Champions League tie. With the Italian side holding a 4-0 advantage after last week’s first leg in the San Siro, Italian rag Corriere dello Sport claims that Milan will rub the Gunners’ noses in it with a big money offer for the Dutch striker.

Apparently Milan president Adriano Galliani is confident of signing Van Persie as he faces up to another season without silverware at the Emirates. He has 15 months remaining on his existing contract and Corriere dello Sport speculates that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will agree to sell Van Persie when faced with such an attractive offer. This despite reports that Wenger hopes to build a new team around the Dutchman this summer – if the Gunners can finish in the top four.

Meanwhile Milan’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva indulged in some brown-nosing of the highest order in a sordid attempt to turn Van Persie’s head, telling the paper: “He is a champion and all champions are welcome at AC Milan. He is a player who can bring many things to a team.”

And it appears that Van Persie isn’t the only player on Milan’s summer shopping list. Talksport claims that Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia is also being courted by the Italian outfit, news that’s sure to leave Alex Ferguson as angry as Adele at an awards night.

The Manchester United manager has been monitoring the 25-year-old Spanish star for months, and it was believed Fergie was intending to make an offer for the strongly-built six-footer. But now Talksport reports that Milan have muscled their way in on the act and are allegedly happy to meet Benfica’s asking price of £17m. Garcia joined the Portuguese club from Real Madrid in 2009 and has become an integral part of their midfield.

Are Ashley Cole‘s days at Stamford Bridge drawing to a close? They are, according to The Sun, which says the England left-back is “heading for the Chelsea exit” after a frank exchange of views with manager Andre Villas-Boas earlier in the week.

The paper says that the Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich has had enough of the curmudgeonly Cole and he will be offloaded at the end of the season. Quoting a club insider, the Sun says: “When the players question the manager, they are questioning the owner’s judgment… Mr Abramovich is fed up with their moaning.”

Where the 31-year-old Cole might go if he is indeed given the bullet by the Blues remains to be seen. Team-mate Frank Lampard, also allegedly unhappy with life in west London, has been linked with a move to the States and the MLS, so Cole could try his luck there.

Arsenal’s deadlock: Wenger won’t budge, Van Persie won’t stay, The Ox won’t play

The ‘In Arsene We Trust’ banners are finally showing signs of ceasing.

Few managers have enjoyed the kind of die-hard support that the trophy-less for seven years Wenger has enjoyed at the Emirates.

However, not any more it would seem.

A three-way deadlock involving Wenger’s transfer funds, Robin Van Persie and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

After reports emerged that Wenger has £50millon sitting in his transfer kitty, Gunners fans now want to know why he has not spent it.

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust are demanding answers from club owner Stan Kroenke and the Emirates board, according to a report in The Sun.

Questions raised at a lively AST meeting on Monday night, included why bitter rivals Spurs are so far ahead despite having a 40 per cent lower wage bill.

Arsenal are expected to announce pre-tax profits of about £45m — boosted by the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

It might be worth noting that having £50millon is one thing – buying the right player is quite another.

Wenger’s buy ‘em young watch ‘em grow policy worked only until he was winning trophies.

Then the young ‘uns upped and left.

Arsene Wenger meanwhile will reportedly refuse to be held to ransom over Robin van Persie.

Arsenal are determined to keep their prize asset this summer even if the Dutchman does not sign a new contract, according to media reports, and talks are underway to offer the striker a mega deal.

Then there is the question of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, an emerging talismanic figure for the Gunners. Wenger has also stated that he will not push the dynamic winger into playing too much, too early, much to chagrin of Arsenal fans.

Gunners boss Wenger ended up selling Samir Nasri to Manchester City for £22m last summer because he only had one year left on his deal and Wenger feared he could end up leaving on a free transfer.

But Arsenal are prepared to take the risk of Van Persie running his current contract into next season before it expires in 2013.

The Arsenal board know selling their captain, talisman and star striker would cause fury among the fans.

Van Persie would be 30 in 2013, is four years older than Nasri and so it will be a different dilemma for Arsenal this summer making it increasingly likely they will take a gamble on his contract situation.

However, Wenger shows no signs of buying an out and out top-ranked player ready to impact Arsenal’s cup fortunes.

Indications already are that all inquiries concern players with great potential – but no established stars.

The latest news on that front is his interest in 21-year old defender, Daniel Opare from Ghana.

At least the good news for Gunners’ fans is Wenger is finally showing interest in shoring up his defence.