- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has discussed the quality of Robin van Persie's play this season.
The captain notched his 29th goal of the season in Sunday’s thrilling North London derby win over Tottenham and Wenger believes Van Persie is up there with the best he’s seen.
“I think he has an exceptional technique, I mean really exceptional,” he said. “I have seen many great players over 30 years but Robin van Persie's first touch is just exceptional.
“After that he has the qualities of left-footed players; they are very quick to finish, have great movement in the box and are very intelligent.
“When you look at great players, they are on the move and everybody else stands and watches the ball. That is the difference. They look like they attack the ball all the time but in fact it is because they anticipate a lot and they are a little bit ahead of the other players.
“It is a bit like rebounds in basketball, it is always the same players who catch the ball. In football you always have the same players like that - Robert Pires, for example, was fantastic like that. When you analysed him he was always moving when others were standing and Robin has that quality too.
“It's not the way you finish, it's the way you move that gets you into the position.”
- Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is convinced skipper Robin van Persie is the best player in the Premier League.
The captain notched his 29th goal of the season in Sunday’s thrilling North London derby win over Tottenham.
“He's not bad is he?” joked the goalkeeper. "He only scored one goal today though, which is really disappointing for him! We are used to him scoring a hat-trick.
“But he set up a couple and he was great. He worked very hard defensively, headed a few balls away when we defended corners and scored a fantastic goal.
“That's what he is all about - he is the best player in the Premier League and we are very pleased to have him.”
- Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny says Theo Walcott looks a natural finisher in training.
Szczesny believes that performance could spark an upturn in form in front of goal for Walcott.
"Theo scored two goals, which is all you can ask for,” Sczcesny said. “They were both very good. He has come under a little bit of stick for his finishing but he took those two very well and we are very pleased for him.
“He's a very good lad and he is probably one of the best trainers in the dressing room.
“He works very hard every day, scores a lot of goals in training and just needs to get the goals in games. But we are very pleased for him and we hope he can do it all over again in the games from now.”
- Arsenal captain Robin van Persie admits he regularly chats with manager Arsene Wenger about his contract.
Van Persie says he'll sit down with Wenger and chairman Peter Hill-Wood to discuss new terms at the end of the season.
"I am a true Gunner. I love this club and that's no secret," said Van Persie today.
"We will soon quietly talk about many things. I do quite often with the trainer. Only later on that occasion will the president be there.
"I have been there for eight years and I'm proud of that."
- Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni is delighted seeing Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi impressing on-loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Miyaichi was named last week in the Japan squad for tomorrow’s final World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in Toyota.
“He has performed at Bolton well in an eye-catching manner. He has a lot of quality and that’s why I have called him up,” Zaccheroni said.
“He has tremendous speed and staying power as well.
“He will be able to change the rhythm of the game with his runs, both short and long. He has a chance to play.”
- Arsenal still must settle on a fee with FC Cologne for striker Lukas Podolski.
It’s understood the 26-year old is happy with the terms on offer at Arsenal and a deal can go through at the end of the season, provided a fee can be agreed.
Cologne are ready to dig their heels in and demand around £15million after being left unimpressed by Arsenal's valuation of £8m.
The Bundesliga side are bracing themselves for some hard bargaining with their north London counterparts but sense Podolski will be spearheading Arsenal's attack next season.
Some high-profile signings would help under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stave off a growing rebellion among supporters and dispel any misgivings Robin van Persie may have about committing himself to the club beyond a contract that runs out at the end of next season.
Polish-born Podolski is in his second spell at Cologne, after a three-year stay at Bayern Munich, and has impressed on the international stage.
- Fiorentina are ready to splash out for Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.
Chamakh has been offered a £6million escape route to Fiorentina.
The Italian club tried to sign him in January but Arsenal knocked back a loan deal as they wanted to keep the striker as cover. But Fiorentina have come back with a permanent offer.
- Arsenal are lining up a bid for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Nzonzi.
The Gunners are plotting a move for Nzonzi.
The former France Under 21 midfielder has been a rare bright spot in a woeful season for Rovers.
Nzonzi's displays for Steve Kean's struggling side have caught the eye of the Gunners' scouts.
Senior Arsenal scouts will now step up their plans to launch a summer move by having the 23-year-old watched on a regular basis between now and the end of the season.
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