ARSENAL are thought to be close to agreeing a new five-year deal with striker Robin van Persie.
The Dutch forward has just two years remaining on his current deal and Arsene Wenger is keen to tie the 25-year-old to the club as soon as possible.
Van Persie has become one of the jewels in the Gunners' crown after Wenger snapped him up from Feyenoord four years ago.
Since then, van Perise has developed into one of the finest forwards in the Premier League, although his time at the Emirates have been plagued by injuries.
Having scored seven goals in his first ten games last year, van Persie suffered a knee injury after falling awkwardly whilst on duty with Holland, effectively cutting short his campaign as he went on to make only a handful of appearances until the end of the season.
But Van Persie has begun this term in good form, with three goals already to his name and Wenger is clearly desperate to hang on to the forward.
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