Robin van Persie insists Arsenal will be title contenders once again this season.

The Gunners striker has impressed so far in pre-season, having recovered from the injuries which blighted his season last year. And the Dutchman believes the time has come to put an end to the club's three-year trophy drought.

"I think any of the top four can win the title," he said. "I am not going to say we are going to win it, because you never know. I hope we can do it.

"I am committed to winning it, and if you look around, so is everyone here. Arsenal have to win something every year, that is our aim. If it is not happening, then everyone is really disappointed."

Van Persie was in buoyant mood yesterday, following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Emirates Cup, having won the penalty that was duly dispatched by Emmanuel Adebayor.

Afterwards he was understandably delighted with his strike partner’s decision to stay at the club and is encouraged by the partnership the pair are building with the big kick-off just around the corner.

He said: "It is a good sign that he will be staying, because it took him a while [to agree a new deal]. I am happy that he has committed his future to Arsenal.

"Yesterday we showed that Ade and I have a few nice combinations together. That is really important for two strikers, you always have to work together, you always have to look for each other."

Despite the lack of silverware in recent years and the departure of some high-profile names - with Mathieu Flamini moving to AC Milan and Alexander Hleb jumping ship to Barcelona - Van Persie seems unconcerned.

"Of course, I wanted everyone to stay, but this is not how life is," said the 24-year-old.

"Players leaving is part of football, those things happen. Flamini was a free agent, so he could make this decision. Alex went, but this is football and has been happening for years."

The Dutchman also remained positive about his own personal progress, and is desperate to stay injury-free to help his team-mates launch a title campaign this year.

"I hope this season will not be so unlucky with injuries" he added. "I just do not want to think about that, negative stuff. If you think positive, you get positive.

"I am getting better. Taking steps every day and am really happy with how it is going. My target is to be as fit as possible after a month, because the season is long.

"I learned a lot in the last two years, because I have been injured so much."

[Guardian-Series]

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