Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has confessed his admiration for Barcelona. The Arsenal striker, who has scored 18 goals this season, has postponed new contract talks until the summer, when he will have 12 months to run on his deal.

A host of clubs are monitoring the situation, chief among them Manchester City and, in an interview with NUsport magazine, Van Persie spoke of his admiration for Barcelona.

"I still think you can achieve most by playing beautiful football," he said. "Look at Barcelona. Their football is something unique, beautiful to watch. We will never forget it. But sometimes, they also depend on the individual actions of [Lionel] Messi or somebody else.

"Nobody can play beautiful football all the time. That's what I tell the boys [at Arsenal]. When it doesn't go smoothly, just try to kill the game.

"I'm still a lover of the game and I will always be but I've become more realistic. It's too romantic to think you can only win by playing beautiful football. Barcelona is the exception."