Robin van Persie's new contract talks could influence two teammates in also staying with Arsenal.

The striker, who reached a century of Arsenal goals with his two against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, has two seasons on his existing deal including the current one. He is the most senior player in a group including Thomas Vermaelen, Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin who could potentially go into next summer with just one year left on their deals.

Arsène Wenger admitted on Friday that even the maximum salaries that Arsenal were capable of paying might not be enough to persuade his best players to stay at the club. Undoubtedly Van Persie is the key to keeping the likes of Vermaelen and Walcott, who are likely to think differently about Arsenal's future if the captain commits.