Wenger respects van Persie decision

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will respect the decision of Dutch striker Robin van Persie, should the player decide to leave. So far van Persie has refused to sit down to discuss a new contract at the Emirates.

Reports last month suggested that van Persie is waiting for a big money deal from a Premier League rival, and so has decided not to discuss a new contract with Arsenal just yet.

Van Persie was in superb form this past weekend, as his two goals helped Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League.

But, Arsene Wenger remains realistic and admitted that he would respect the decision of van Persie should he decide to leave: "The most important thing is what you do on the pitch and how much you are committed to the cause as long as you are at the club.

"The ideal situation is that he extends his contract and if he doesn’t you have to respect that.

"What is important is he plays how he plays.

"We are all eager to see special football players and he is a special football player."