Arsene Wenger is optimistic that Robin van Persie will pen a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
The Dutchman is yet to commit to the Gunners with speculation surrounding his future having dragged on for some time.
The 25-year-old is key to Arsenal's plans, especially as he appears to have shaken off the injury problems which have blighted his career to date.
For that reason Wenger knows it is imperative he convinces Van Persie to stay at Emirates Stadium, but he is confident the talented frontman will follow the lead of his fellow forward Theo Walcott by signing an extension to his current deal.
"I am hoping he will sign a new deal and I am trying very hard to get him to sign. I want Robin on board," said the Frenchman.
"He is a very important player in the squad and on the pitch he is a very efficient player."
Wenger added: "We want him to stay because we gave him a chance when he was in a very bad position at Feyenoord.
"I think he developed well here and I don't see a reason for him to go and he loves the club."
Wenger is hoping his policy of putting faith in youth will start to pay dividends in the near future, and he insists he is not prepared to part with any of those promising starlets he has helped nurture into world class talents.
"You cannot imagine that we work as we did with young players and give them a chance, then let them go," he said.
"We are criticised because we play young players, then we are supposed to let them go when they are in a position where they start to perform at the top level? That is not acceptable."
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