Image:Robin van Persie: Hinting he plans to stay at Arsenal as his family are settled in London
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has dropped a strong hint that he plans to stay at the Emirates.
Gunners skipper happy with life in London
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has dropped a strong hint that he plans to stay at the Emirates.
Van Persie's future has been the subject of speculation with the player yet to agree a new deal at Arsenal.
The Dutchman, who scored his 36th goal of 2011 in Saturday's win over Queens Park Rangers, is entering the final 18 months of his contract and the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona are thought to be monitoring his situation in north London.
Arsenal are keen to tie down Van Persie to a new long-term contract and the Gunners skipper admits he would be happy to stay in London as his family are settled in the capital.
Settled
"We love the life in London and I enjoy watching my kids grow up here," said Van Persie. "They grow up like the English kids with good manners and values of England.
"The place where we live, just outside the city, is fantastic. We have everything we want.
"The English people are so incredibly polite where I live. People are nice here. That makes life a real pleasure.
"My children have become more English than Dutch. They have taken up the culture and values of England.
"It makes me melt at times when I see how well my children are doing here. When Shaqueel has half-term with school, he does not want to go back to the Netherlands any more."
Van Persie also paid tribute to the Arsenal fans for the support they show him, admitting it gives him an extra boost to do well.
"It is the biggest compliment I could wish for," added Van Persie. "Arsenal fans are real lovers of the game.
"They don't miss anything in the stadium and are there for the team and the individual players.
Batman
"I have to admit I love banners like 'We don't need Batman, we've got Robin' and stuff like that.
"I also love it when I run on to the pitch and I hear the entire crowd roar. What bigger compliment could I wish for as player?
"At Arsenal, the fans so want me to do well. And that gives me a kick. That's what I do it for. As a thank you, I want to give them so much in return on the pitch."