Arsenal hero Martin Keown says Robin van Persie shouldn't be pressured into signing a new contract.
Former Arsenal defender Keown - who won three league championships during his nine years at Highbury - feels Van Persie should be allowed some space to consider what is likely to be the most important decision of his career.
"We need to give Robin time and not suffocate him," said Keown, who was speaking at the Carlsberg Pub Final, a national tournament to find the best Pub Cup team in England, which took place at Emirates Stadium.
"Robin understands and we all understand he is very much a special player for Arsenal. The adulation and respect which he has at Arsenal, Robin has worked a footballing lifetime to get that.
"If he leaves, he might find it hard to grow into another club with the respect he has here.
"However, he might feel he wants to go to a club where he thinks he can win things - that is probably the dilemma for him, rather than the financial one.
"It is swapping the love for him here if he goes to another club, he might find it a little bit of a difficult transition which he does not want to make."