Striker Robin van Persie has joined up with the Netherlands squad ahead
of Euro 2012 having yet to make a final decision on his future with
Arsenal.
The 28-year-old, who has a year left on his current contract,
held talks with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan
Gazidis on Wednesday.
But no decision was made and Van Persie will now focus on his national team's preparations for the Euros.
The 28-year-old scored 41 goals in 53 games for club and country this season.
Of that tally, 37 came in 48 appearances for Arsenal
and he was the Premier League's leading marksman with 30 goals in 38
matches.
A number of leading sides have registered interest in
signing the Gunners captain, who was named both the Professional
Footballers' Association and Football Writers' player of the year.
Speaking after
Sunday's 3-2 victory at West Brom,
which secured Arsenal's place in next season's Champions League, Van Persie refused to commit.
When asked if his future would be resolved quickly, he
said: "You never know but Arsenal is a massive club. Whatever happens,
I'll always love this club.
"I have been playing here for eight years and I love
this club. Whatever happens, that will never change. We will sit down
next week."
Van Persie was unwilling to open negotiations until the
campaign had ended, with Champions League football a key consideration.
Another factor is Arsenal's transfer market activity, and Van Persie has been encouraged by the
signing of Lukas Podolski from FC Cologne
for £10.9m.
"Will Champions League football help to keep Van
Persie?" said Wenger. "It makes it easier to attract good players and
keep them."
Arsenal are expected to offer the Dutchman a new
four-year deal that would break their current wage structure, while Van
Persie and his family are happy in London.
With
the Netherlands assembling
for their training camp in Switzerland on Thursday, there was little time to reach an agreement.
Van Persie was always open to the idea of playing in
the tournament before coming to a decision, but Arsenal wanted the
situation dealt with before he met up with the Dutch squad.
The Gunners do not want a repeat of last summer, when
Cesc Fabregas
and
Samir Nasri
were sold after the season had started.
Van Persie was
signed from Feyenoord
for £2.75m in 2004 and team-mate Laurent Koscielny is confident he will stay.
"He will be here next season," said the defender, who scored Arsenal's winner at The Hawthorns.
"He was a fantastic captain, he was so important for us. He will be here scoring goals for us next season."
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