Van Persie Outlines Arsenal Future as Wenger Lauds Spanish Connection

Arsenal's Robin van Persie has outlined his vision for the next 12 months at the club in the biggest indication yet that he sees his long-term future in north London.

The Gunners will be hoping to extend a run of five consecutive Premier League wins when they face Everton on Wednesday, but van Persie insists the club can only be satisfied if they can sustain their recent performances over a whole season.

"If you look at the last couple of weeks, we showed we have a lot of character in our side," van Persie told the official Arsenal Web site.

"Now we need to show that over a period of a whole year. That is very hard and only the best of the best teams have that in them. We came from behind in the past four games and ended up winning the game. That shows we can do it, not only once or twice or three times, but lots of times. So why not show it 20 times or whenever it is needed?"

Van Persie's current deal at the Emirates expires in 2013 but Arsenal are ready to offer him an extension through to 2016 and his latest comments should assuage fears that he could leave the club for free next summer.

Arsenal chairman Pater Hill-Wood remains unconcerned over van Persie's future and insists the player is unlikely to be sold at the end of the current campaign.

The Arsenal striker is reportedly happy to discuss an extension if the club demonstrates a willingness to invest in the squad during the summer, and Hill-Wood remains adamant that van Persie can be persuaded to stay.

"I think Robin and his family are very happy in London and I don't think he is solely motivated by money as some players are," Hill-Wood was quoted on ESPN Soccernet.

"If we find the right person for the right position we are happy to buy. We have got enough to pay anything but silly prices."

Meanwhile, Wenger has praised the impact of Mikel Arteta since the midfielder arrived from Everton in the summer.

The Spaniard has firmly established himself as a mainstay of Wenger's Arsenal side in the last seven months, scoring five goals in 25 Premier League appearances, an impact that has not gone unnoticed by the Frenchman.

"He always gives you a certain level of quality," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "He is always 100 per cent focused and committed and that is what you want from a real professional. He brings the best out of other players.

"I believe he is a winner and a fighter as well. I think he possesses both aspects of the game for a real midfielder - that means he can defend and he can attack. That is what we looked for."