Wenger urges van Persie and Bendtner to stay at Arsenal

ARSENE WENGER’S mood has been characterised by angry defiance for weeks now, and the Arsenal manager marked the end of his side’s season yesterday by issuing another rallying call to the club’s most prized talents to stay put in north London.

His words were aimed particularly at Robin van Persie, who took his tally for the season to 20 with a brace in the 4-1 win over Stoke.

Wenger is now certain to strengthen his squad over the summer as he looks to claw back the 18-point gap on champions Manchester United. However, just as important will be tying the future of 25-year-old van Persie to the club.

“We want to extend the contract of Robin,” Wenger said. “It is the priority to extend the contract of (Nicklas) Bendtner as well. The basic problem is to get round the table. We did that already a few times but we always got delayed afterwards. Robin wants to stay, he wants basically to stay. But he still has two years to go.”

Wenger accepts some new personnel will have to be added but refused to make any snap judgments.

“After a dodgy start, in the last 23 games we lost just once, so the team is moving forwards,” he said.

“The question we have to analyse now is are we strong enough like that to win the championship next year? If not, what do we need to add to the squad?”

An own goal from James Beattie set Arsenal on their way yesterday afternoon, which was swiftly followed up by a penalty from van Persie and Abou Diaby’s bullet header to put the home side 3-0 up inside 18 minutes.

Stoke, already safe from any last-day relegation drama, pulled a goal back from the spot through Ricardo Fuller, only for Rory Delap to then gift van Persie his second four minutes before half-time. Wenger, the target of unusually strident criticism in recent weeks, was given a warm reception by the home fans, who chanted his name throughout and applauded the team on a post-match lap of appreciation.

“It makes me feel appreciated and even more regretful that we could not give them what they wanted this season,” said the Arsenal manager.

ARSENAL (4-4-2): Mannone 6, Sagna 6 (Eboue 57, 5), Toure 7, Song 6, Gibbs 6, Diaby 7, Fabregas 7, Denilson 6, Arshavin 7 (Vela 71, 5), van Persie 8, Walcott 6 (Bendtner 46, 6).

Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Ramsey, Silvestre, Djourou.

STOKE (4-4-2): Simonsen 4 (Sorensen 21, 6), Wilkinson 6, Shawcross 6, Abdoulaye Faye 6, Dickinson 5, Lawrence 6, Diao 6 (Pugh 64, 5), Whelan 6, Delap 5, Beattie 4, Fuller 5 (Cresswell 69, 5).

Subs Not Used: Olofinjana, Kelly, Tonge, Sonko.

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire) 6: Kept busy by the first-half penalties, but they were good calls.

MATCH RATING: **** Thrill-a-minute in the first half, although the second was quieter.