Arsenal preparing to lose Robin Van Persie

Arsene Wenger is preparing for the worst case scenario of captain Robin van Persie not renewing his contract by drawing up a list of potential targets to beef up his squad next term.

Emotionally drained after unsuccessfully making a protracted bid to retain star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the Gunners boss is determined to avoid the mistake of making last summer's panic buys.

Arsenal have made their intentions clear by signing Cologne winger Lukas Podolski well before the summer transfer wrangles begin.

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Being virtually assured of a third-place finish and another season of Champions League football, Wenger can relax and concentrate his energies on rebuilding his squad in a bid to end Arsenal's seven-year drought without winning any major silverware.

Following is the Mirror's guide to Arsenal's transfer targets:

Jan Vertonghen - Defender (Ajax)
Vertonghen only has a year left on his current contract and could be available for as little as £7 million this summer. Wenger is keen to team the Belgian up with compatriot Thomas Vermaelen.

Aly Cissokho - Left back (Lyon)
Arsenal tried to sign Cissokho on loan back in January but were knocked back by Lyon. The French club let it be known that they were willing to do business for £8 million, though, and Arsene could be tempted to go back in the transfer window.

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Yann M'Vila - Defensive midfielder (Rennes)
M'Vila has already expressed an interest in joining Arsenal - although Real Madrid and Inter Milan also beckons for the 21 year-old French international.

Stephane Sessegnon - Attacking midfielder (Sunderland)
The Black Cats only bagged Sessegnon last summer, signing the 27 year-old from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee in the region of £6 million. However, following an impressive first Premier League season return of six goals and nine assists, the vultures are circling. Sunderland could be willing to do business for £10 million but Arsenal would face stiff competition from his old club PSG.

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Mario Gotze - Attacking midfielder (Borussia Dotmund)
One of the most highly-rated youngsters in Europe and a long-term Arsenal target, Gotze signed a new contract that will keep him at Dortmund until 2016 last month. However, Wenger still hasn't given up on the 19 year-old and will certainly make overtures once the summer transfer window is open.

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Eden Hazard - Attacking midfielder, forward (Lille)
The 21 year-old Belgium international has become one of the most sought-after talents in Europe following an outstanding season in which he has scored 18 goals and set up another 14 for Lille. Arsenal will face stiff competition from a host of top European clubs for his signature.
         
Olivier Giroud - Striker (Montpellier)
The inspiration behind unfancied Montpellier's startling Ligue 1 season, Giroud has banged in 19 goals from 29 league appearances and attracted scouts. Wenger instructed chief scout Giles Grimandi to compile a dossier on the 25 year-old.