Welsh legend Robbie Savage feels Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger needs to buy big to convince Robin van Persie to stay.

In his column for the Mirror, Savage opined: "I've no doubt Van Persie really does love Arsenal and his manager.

"But he is 28 now. Injuries mean he's probably only got three years left at the very top of his game.

"As he ponders Arsenal's offer, he must be weighing up his chances of winning something at the Emirates in that time frame.

"Unless things improve rapidly, they can be no better than 50/50. At Real Madrid, Barcelona or even United or City? Virtually nailed-on. That is going to make you think about moving on, no matter how great your bond with the club.

"It's barely worth Wenger sitting down with Van Persie now to hammer out a deal. Much better would be to identify two or three world-class players and find the money to sign them in January.

"Without them, Arsenal will not finish in the Champions League places. And Robin van Persie will decide that the Europa League is too small a stage for his talents."