Pires: Buy star players to keep van Persie

Former Gunners star Robert Pires believes that Arsenal captain and goal scoring machine Robin van Persie could stay on at the Emirates next season if they show ambition by purchasing a big name player or two.

It is inevitable that Van Persie’s future will be the most talked about subject over next summer with the Dutchman refusing to discuss a new contract until the end of the season, choosing to focus on the campaign at hand. Fears will be developing amongst Gunners fans with the Samir Nasri saga fresh in their minds, however Pires believes Arsenal’s talismanic captain could resign if some ‘important players’ are signed in the summer transfer window:

I think he will stay. Why? He has status at Arsenal and he is highly regarded. But I also believe that Arsenal need to sign some important players next summer. That will help to keep him.

As will some silverware at The Emirates to end a drought of trophies that extends back to the FA Cup win in 2005.
[on ending Arsenal’s trophy drought]When you win a big competition, it helps to give a winning mentality.
It was difficult at the start of the season, but since their 1-0 win in Marseille, results have improved. In people such as Yossi Benayoun, Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker, Arsenal have brought in experienced players. They have settled in and if this squad can win silverware this season, it can be the start of something.

A massive deciding factor for Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to leave North London was down to what they felt was a lack of ambition by Wenger and the board who have not sanctioned a big money bid since Arshavin’s £15m – ish transfer a few years back. Some may think this will be the case for van Persie, however I believe his passion for Arsenal is more like Cesc Fabregas’. Fabregas did not leave because he felt Arsenal were lacking ambition or star names, but he would rather move back to his boyhood club that has the best team on the planet, and the Spaniard felt that Arsenal had fantastic young talent in Ramsey, Wilshere and Walcott and did not need to spend big money.

Wenger will highly likely not purchase a big-name player unless someone substantial leaves like van Persie, as the Gunners side is quite stacked at present. The only player I can see him buying is Mario Gotze, which could be enough to tempt Van Persie to resign, what do you think? Will Wenger buy big next summer in an attempt to push the Gunners to the next level and retain Van Persie’s services?