Arsenal face agonising wait over Van Persie

Robin van Persie is likely to keep Arsenal waiting until the end of the season before beginning contract talks.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted on Thursday that the club are keen to get the Dutch striker to extend a deal that has 18 months left to run.

But Van Persie has not started negotiations, or even anything less formal, and is keen to ensure that the club can match his ambition before committing himself.

Van Persie is in terrific form, with 30 goals in 36 games this calendar year, and Arsenal have made moves to get him round the table but nothing has happened yet.

The Arsenal captain, 28, has already become a target for Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich.

Van Persie is on £70,000-a-week plus, but also wants Champions League football and for the club to show they have the ambition to challenge for silverware.

That is likely to leave Arsenal waiting until the summer before discovering Van Persie's long-term plans.

But Wenger remains "confident" that he will stay and has been encouraged by the fact that defender Thomas Vermaelen has re-signed.

The Gunners are also hoping to start contract negotiations with England winger Theo Walcott.

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