Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has gone on Twitter to deny reports he made disparaging comments about the professionalism of English footballers.

The 27-year-old striker was recently quoted as suggesting he knew of several English colleagues who enjoyed the party lifestyle too much, and that he believed their careers at the top level would be shortened because of it.

French international Diaby has had a bust up with van Persie for giving away the possession during the end of the first half in a recent match. Van Persie felt the caution was needless and gave Diaby a dressing down at half-time, as he thought the lack of discipline could cost Arsenal in the second half.

It is rumoured that the Dutch striker blamed his side's recent concession of a four goal lead at Newcastle on Diaby after he was sent off for lashing out at Joey Barton. The pair had to be pulled apart by team-mates in the dressing room as they squared-up to each other.

The football betting markets now have Diaby as 7/2 to be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season.

Former England striker Gary Lineker has praised Robin van Persie by saying that he is better than Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres.

The Dutchman had been out for a significant period of time this season owing to injury, but returned to produce stellar form that has seen him score 11 goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions.

Drogba has gone goalless in his last six games for Chelsea, while British transfer record holder Fernando Torres is yet to open his account under the Blue banner. Wayne Rooney has also been far from the goalscoring machine he was last season.

Arsenal's Robin Van Persie will stay in Asenal until 2016 with a new deal.The Dutch striker only signed a four-year contract in 2009 but boss Arsene Wenger is determined to keep hold of his in-form vice-captain.

Having been asked to play in a number of positions for Arsenal this season, Wenger has been impressed by the forward's versatility.And with continuing speculation over the future of captain Cesc Fabregas, Wenger is keen to ensure that he keeps hold of his other key players.

Robin van Persie is close to hitting top form after he scored a stunning hat-trick against Wigan athletic. The afternoon offered little further evidence of the ability of Arsène Wenger's side to win something, anything, this season beyond the fact that Robin van Persie's return to scoring form gives them a better chance of translating the craft and vision of Cesc Fábregas into goals. Van Persie completed his first hat-trick in England on Saturday, a feat long overdue and in spite of wafting a penalty over the bar.

Robin van Persie failed to score against Manchester city as Arsenal could only draw against them. To start the new year by beating the team lying one place above them in the top three would have been to take a big step on the way to maintaining a challenge for the club's first league title since 2003-04.

It has been reported that Bayern Munich are interested in signing Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. The 27-year-old joined Arsenal from Feyenoord Rotterdam in 2004, and although his tremendous talent was obvious early on, his Gunners career has been blighted somewhat by injury.

Robin van Persie returned to action in November after a two-month layoff with an injury to his left heel.

Bayern Munich have also been linked to big money bids for Nigel de Jong and Yuri Zhirkov.

Robin van Persie has aimed for a Champions League clash with Real Madrid or Barcelona for Arsenal. With Arsenal well placed in both the Carling Cup and the Premier League, Van Persie is also convinced this really will be the season to end a trophy drought that dates back to the 2005 FA Cup. “We have to believe,” he said. “If you don’t believe you might as well stop playing football.”

Robin Van Persie has revealed that he wanted Arsenal to sign Rafael van der Vaart. Van der Vaart has been a sensation at Spurs since his £8million summer switch from Real Madrid.

Fellow Dutchman and Gunners striker Van Persie, 27, said: "He's a great footballer, I know the quality he has. I'd rather he was at Arsenal. I indicated a couple of times that Rafael would be useful for Arsenal but that advice was not followed."

Van Persie played the second half of Holland's 1-0 win over Turkey on Wednesday as he continued his recovery from an ankle problem.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Robin van Persie's recovery from an ankle injury is progressing well and the striker could be back in action for the Gunners in late April. The striker will begin intensive fitness work soon and Wenger is hopeful for a late spring date for his return if everything stays on track. The sports betting online markets predict a match in April for RVP.