Arsenal consider dangerous game with Van Persie

Arsenal are considering playing a game of brinkmanship with captain Robin van Persie over his contract.

The Daily Express says one option that has been mooted in the boardroom and will be discussed again is to hold off throwing cash at Van Persie and tell the striker’s representatives that all bids for him in the summer will be rejected.

Arsenal do not realistically expect to be offered more than £20m for a player with one year remaining on his contract and who will turn 30 in August 2013.

And there is still a hope inside the Emirates that Van Persie may be convinced to sign a new deal without shattering the wage structure if he is made aware he would be effectively forced to see out the remaining 12 months of his contract before being able to leave.

Arsenal sold Samir Nasri to Manchester City for about £25m last summer after the Frenchman refused to extend his contract that had only one year left to run. But Van Persie’s situation is being viewed differently because of his age and importance to the club.