Arsene Wenger has no worries about Robin van Persie's contract
Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsene Wenger insists he has no concerns about Robin van Persie's contract situation despite renewed speculation over the Arsenal captain.
Van Persie's current deal expires in 2013 but Wenger, who has defended Arsenal's treatment of Jack Wilshere's ankle injury, maintains he is comfortable with the situation
He said: "That depends on us and him. On our side we are quite clear.
"I do not say there is no problem because it doesn't depend only on us."
Wenger will be desperate to avoid a similar situation that saw Samir Nasri join Manchester City in the summer after refusing to extend his contract, which had less than a year to run.
The Dutchman, 28, was made skipper after Cesc Fabregas joined Barcelona in the summer and scored his 100th goal for the club in the 3-0 win over Bolton at the weekend.
Van Persie has claimed there are no negotiations planned and that he does not want talks during the season.
Wenger added: "Lets not make too big a thing of it. He has nearly two years to go, that is a very long time in football.
"Robin has matured from the boy who was a little bit emotionally impulsive when he arrived to the guy he is today.
"It was difficult to predict but he is intelligent, he speaks his mind and you can talk to him as well. He takes advice and overall he has developed very well."
The Frenchman has also reacted strongly to criticism of Arsenal's treatment of Jack Wilshere after the England midfielder was ruled out for five months following ankle surgery.
England manager Fabio Capello has suggested that Wilshere was allowed to go on holiday rather than having his injury treated immediately.
But Wenger said: "It is unfair because the club's medical staff hasn't made any mistakes on that front.
"The red colour [of Arsenal's shirts] seems to attract a lot of criticism. When we don't do as well as expected we get criticised. It shows we are a very popular club. We have to accept it."
