The Dutchman netted his first hat-trick in the 3-0 win over 10-man Wigan. The 27-year-old striker took his tally to six in the last three games with a treble against the below-par Latics - and that after blasting a penalty high into the stands following Gary Caldwell's red card for pulling back Cesc Fabregas. Van Persie has a history of promising campaigns interrupted by injury, last season undergoing ankle surgery to be fit in time for the World Cup. The Holland forward had another frustrating spell on the sidelines from the end of August until the start of November after picking up a further ankle problem, but has looked sharp on his return. Wenger hopes a fresh van Persie - kept on the bench before coming on to score in the FA Cup third-round replay at Leeds - can give the Gunners the edge as they challenge for both domestic and European honours. "Robin is an important player in our squad. He can finish, provide and the understanding with our offensive players is very good so of course, he will be very important," Wenger said. "Some players have played many games, but van Persie has been out for a long time. Him and Fabregas had a long breather and we hope he can benefit from that." Wenger feels van Persie will have grown in character from an enforced spell on the sidelines. "What he has gone through has been difficult," the Arsenal boss said. "A player who is injured is fragile. He feels useless and is without his job. He is without his happiness. "On the other hand, it has made him a lot stronger mentally because he had to fight against disappointments. This is what makes you strong in life. "Robin is now a completely sharp and fit - and strong. He looks strong mentally." Wenger feels the way his side continued to press Wigan, despite missing chance after chance as Latics goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi made a string of fine saves, shows they have grown in maturity. "We are in a job when if you do not take your chances, you will pay for it," said Wenger, who will again rotate his side when they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second-leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. "You will feel a bit guilty and what is important is that you don't have your mind on the chance that you missed, that you keep your focus on the way we want to win football," he said. "Some players carry that with them and think 'I should have scored here' and then you lose your game. On that front, I feel we have matured. We came out and wanted to play." Wenger remains open-minded about whether or not he will bring in a centre-back as cover during the January transfer window, but appears to be on the verge of completing a deal for Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. "We will try now," the Arsenal manager confirmed. "We need an agreement with Southampton, we need an agreement with the player, and we are not the only ones on the case, but we try as hard as we can because I like him as a player." Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, feels Arsenal have all the character needed to mount a sustained title challenge. He said: "Arsenal are getting stronger. You looking at the amount of players they are rotating and they have probably got two players per position. "They know exactly the system, the way they play, they control the tempo of the game extremely well and they develop a real football arrogance that is a joy to watch." The Latics remain deep in trouble, but Martinez feels his men can fight their way to safety in what is a very tight battle for survival. "We know the challenge. I know what we need to get out of the next 15 games," Martinez said. "Being in the bottom three now doesn't mean much. It is important we carry on with our long-term strategy. "We have got young, very talented players. "I don't want Wigan to be a team always fighting to avoid relegation but you need a transitional time. Two seasons is what we need to achieve that."
