Sat 7th Nov - Molineux
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 5th August 2007
Van Persie: Wants Wenger stay
It's important Arsene is here for the long-term and signs a new contract.
Robin van Persie
Quotes of the week
Robin van Persie has spelt out the importance of keeping Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the club.
Rumour is rife that Wenger will be leaving the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season when his current contract expires.
The Gunners boss has admitted he is in talks with the Arsenal board, but will not reveal his position.
Van Persie has now described his desperation for Wenger to sign a new deal.
"It's important Arsene is here for the long-term and signs a new contract," Van Persie told the News of the World.
"Everyone who is here was brought in by him. Everyone will be a bit surprised if he left.
"If he is going to leave, and I don't think he will, we'll see what happens then.
"There's speculation about him leaving next year, but he's here and wants to prove things - and we want to win trophies."
The Dutch forward is also confident that Wenger will steer Arsenal to success.
Many have written off Arsenal's chances next season, following the departure of Thierry Henry to Barcelona, but Van Persie is optimistic.
"Thierry's departure should not really affect us," Van Persie added.
"The boss stresses it's all about the team and it's going to remain that way as long as he stays."

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Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar - Wenger
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar - Fabregas
Wenger has injury headache
Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham - Redknapp
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Wolverhampton vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 24th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Standard Liege |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 9th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Olympiacos vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Liverpool vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 16th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs Hull |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Everton |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Bolton vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Liverpool |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 AZ | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 28th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 20th October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| AZ 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 6 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiacos | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 22nd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Standard Liege 2 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 26th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Celtic | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Celtic 0 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Valencia 2 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Rangers | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 11 | 27 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 10 | 22 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 10 | 19 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 11 | 19 |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Pictures from Wednesday's action as Liverpool suffer last minute heartache and Arsenal win with ease.
Arsenal maintained their recent fine form on Saturday as they eased to a 4-1 victory over Wolves.
Aston Villa and Tottenham made their Champions League aspirations clear as Arsenal also won but Man City were held by Burnley.
Arsene Wenger claims Manuel Almunia is now back to his best after a tough couple of months for the Arsenal 'keeper.
Alex Song feels the African Cup of Nations in January will not adversely affect Arsenal's ambitions.
Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for October.