Robin van Persie's announcement yesterday that he won't be signing a new deal infuriated Arsenal chiefs yesterday.

The Daily Mail says Gunners officials were stunned by their captain's statement. No-one at the club had been told it was coming.

Manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis both contacted the player's agent, Kees Vos, to read the riot act over what they perceive to be a blatant attempt to force a move. They are convinced Van Persie has a move lined up and view the player's statement as an attempt to speed up the process.

Club officers were frantically trying to reach owner Stan Kroenke to update the American businessman.