Thomas Vermaelen hopes for Robin van Persie stay

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has revealed that he is desperate for Robin van Persie to remain with the Gunners.

Van Persie, 29, has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, but his club teammate has claimed that he hopes the Dutchman stays for "the next four years".

"To me he looks fit and sharp in training. He's working hard. He's working on his fitness. I don't see anything different and I hope he stays the next four years as well," he told Sky Sports News.

Arsenal open their Premier League campaign with a home tie against Sunderland on Saturday.