The Dutch striker has been in blistering form this campaign and has scored 23 goals in all competitions for club and country. But van Persie's contract, which will expire in the summer of 2013, is an issue on the mind of all associated with Arsenal. The 2004 signing from Feyenoord said in October he was committed at the Emirates Stadium, but he has also delayed discussions over a new deal and there remains a concern he could leave at the end of the season. The situation would be a repeat of this summer, when Samir Nasri quit Arsenal for Manchester City in the final 12 months of his contract. But the London club's chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, remains relaxed and is quoted as saying in the Daily Star: "I think Robin wants to stay. He seems very happy. "Nothing has been discussed, though it is obvious we want him to stay. He doesn't want to talk about a contract now and that's fine with us." Meanwhile, Theo Walcott, whose contract also expires at the end of next season, is pleased Arsenal have turned a corner after a wretched start to the current campaign. Arsene Wenger's team lost four of their opening seven Premier League matches, including the 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United and defeat in the North London derby at Tottenham. But an eight-game unbeaten run has put Arsenal on the tails of the top four ahead of Sunday's match at Manchester City, who lost their undefeated record at Chelsea last time out. "Our new players needed time to gel, time to settle. They had to get used to the way the club is run. It was always going to take time," said Walcott in the Daily Express. "We had injuries as well. Things were not going our way, but the way we've played in the last few weeks, it's nice to see us move up the table."
