Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour feels that Robin van Persie's potential exit from the club will be a disaster.
The Dutch ace is being heavily targeted by Manchester City, who are reportedly offering more than £200,000-a-week, but if he were to leave this summer, Parlour is predicting plenty of pain for the Gunners.
"To lose a vital player is going to affect you. Arsenal's midfielders don't score enough - the team relies on van Persie.
"If he doesn't sign a new contract, realistically, they will have to look at selling him as they can't afford to lose that money next season.
"City are interested in all the top players. They've got money to burn. But I'm hoping Robin will stay.
"He has learned a lot from Arsenal Football Club. Dennis (Bergkamp) was similar - he never wanted to go anywhere else. I know he was winning more trophies then than Arsenal are now, but Dennis had an allegiance to Arsenal.
"Hopefully Robin will be the same. Maybe they'll have to break the wage structure to keep him.
"I definitely would break it. I want him to have a statue outside like Thierry (Henry) and Tony (Adams) and people like that, because he deserves it if he does commit to Arsenal Football Club. And I hope he does.""It's going to be a disaster if he does leave," he told Sportsmail. "It's going to be a major blow. As much of a blow as Cesc Fabregas leaving.
