Wenger moves to keep Van Persie at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has begun his bid, in earnest, to convince Robin van Persie to stay with the club.

Van Persie has single-handedly kept Arsenal afloat – both in the league and in Europe – with some stellar performances.

But naysayers fear this is only to remind prospective buyers that he is in the form of his life – and come January would be the most sought-after player.

Wenger, with departed this week from his trademark nonchalance to call his Arsenal captain “the best striker in the Premier League”.

Van Persie has scored 28 goals in 35 games in this calendar year and Wenger putting him ahead of  Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez and Javier Hernandez, comes clearly as a reminder to van Persie that Arsenal need him.

In fact Arsenal need him so badly that Wenger cannot afford to rest him.

With Thomas Vermaelen returning to full training and Abou Diaby a fortnight away from a comeback  Arsenal’s fortunes may indeed be changing.

And Van Persie will continue to be the key.