Arsenal Chairman has echoed Arsene Wenger’s sentiments over want away striker Robin Van Persie stating the club still want to keep hold of him.
The 28 year old Dutch striker has refused to sign another extension with the Gunners and seems destined to leave the Emirates this summer after repeated attempts by the club authorities to persuade him into staying bore no fruit. Manchester clubs along with Serie A champions Juventus are ready to splash the cash to sign the prolific goalscorer who ended up with 37 goals in all competitions last season for Arsenal.
The Gunners had offered Van Persie a much improved offer but the player rejected it citing differences between him and the board with regard to the club’s ambition to win trophies. The club Chairman Peter Hill-Wood once again expressed his surprise at the striker’s decision to quit but insisted the club still wants him.
“He is a world class player and we do not want to give him away,” said Hill-Wood. “If he is determined to leave then that is up to him, but giving him away is not on our agenda.
“To be honest I do not understand him at all. I understood Cesc Fabregas wanting to go home to Barcelona last summer. I had sympathy with that.
“But I thought Robin was happy at Arsenal. Especially after the season that he had with us.”