Everton legend Andy Gray says Arsenal will survive the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

And he insists that keeping Robin van Persie in north London is arguably more important.

"Cesc won't be the first great player to leave a club and he won't be the last," former Everton and Aston Villa striker Gray told the Daily Star Sunday.

"And I honestly think that Arsenal can cope without him. I'm not of the mind that Gunners fans should be full of doom and gloom if he does go. It won't be the end of Arsenal. Of course he would be a loss but if Arsene gets the transfer fee and can spend it wisely it may make Arsenal even stronger.

"I think they did incredibly well to go so close last season and with a little more strength in depth I believe they could have gone all the way and actually won it. It was there for the taking."

Dutch hitman van Persie, 26, missed a large chunk of the Gunners' season after being crocked playing for Holland against Italy and his long-term absence made a big impact on Arsenal's title hopes.

But Gray says they can challenge again, insisting: "You could argue that keeping van Persie at the club is more important for Wenger.

"And if he has a strong World Cup he'll be fit, strong and raring to go after a long lay-off last season when he was injured."