Arsenal's Van Persie tells Wenger to buy new players

Updated on: 26 August,2011 09:22 AM IST |
AFP |

After guiding Arsenal to the group stage with a 2-1 win over Udinese, skipper Persie urges Wenger to spend on new recruits

After guiding Arsenal to the group stage with a 2-1 win over Udinese, skipper Persie urges Wenger to spend on new recruits

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has told Arsene Wenger it is essential that the Gunners make some top-quality signings before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott scores during Wednesday's Champions League
play-off second leg against Udinese in Udine. PIC/Getty Images

Van Persie helped Wenger's side qualify for the group stages of the Champions League with a vital equaliser in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Udinese in Italy after Antonio di Natale gave Udinese the lead. Theo Walcott scored the winner for Arsenal.

But the Dutch forward knows Wenger's inexperienced squad still has room for significant improvements following the recent sales of star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

"It's vital for Arsenal (to make signings)," he told Sky Sports News. "Of course we did lose Samir and Cesc which is very hard for us because those are two great players."

Although Van Persie, who took over the captain's armband after Fabregas's departure, would like to see several new faces arrive over the next week, he still has faith in his young teammates and praised the way they fought back from a goal down to beat Udinese.

He believes the future is bright for the club with the likes of Carl Jenkinson, Emmanuel Frimpong and Wojciech Szczesny, who saved a penalty, all performing with distinction against the Italians.