Wenger: We must cling to van Persie

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal must keep hold of captain Robin van Persie “at all costs” as they look to resolve the Dutchman’s long-term future ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Gunners may have already moved to bring in fresh faces Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, but there is still work to be done to convince Van Persie to extend his contract past next summer.

Italian champions Juventus have made their interest clear, while Premier League champions Manchester City are said to be on the verge of putting down a £20 million offer with more than £200,000-per-week wages for the Netherlands striker, who is now away on holiday following a disappointing Euro 2012.