Published: 21 June, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger is so confident that Robin van Persie is staying at Arsenal that he’s reportedly willing to bet a 60p chocolate bar on it.

The Gunners’ boss was quizzed, yet again, about the future of his captain this week, with Italian champions Juventus the latest club rumoured to be chasing his signature.

Wenger reiterated that he believes van Persie will be staying in north London, and certainly seemed adamant that whatever happens the Dutchman won’t be playing in Italy next season.

“He will stay at Arsenal,” Wenger reportedly told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

“There is no reason why a top player, a big champion, would want a move to Serie A – in terms of the prestige of the league, the level of play or financial considerations.

“If he moves there I will buy you a Caramello.”

Plans to tempt van Persie with a new contract, believed to be worth around £130,000-a-week, stalled at the end of the season as the striker quickly turned his attentions towards Euro 2012.

Now that the Netherlands have been knocked out of the competition Arsenal fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a deal to keep the 28-year-old at the Emirates beyond his current contract, which only has 12 months remaining.

Premier League champions Manchester City have also been linked with last season’s top scorer, but van Persie’s father recently stated it is “impossible” for him to join one of Arsenal’s domestic rivals.

The speculation will, however, continue to mount – especially with Arsenal on the brink of completing a £12million deal for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud.

Giroud will be the second striker the Gunners have snapped up this summer after already recruiting Lukas Podolski from German side Cologne.