No Van Persie talks until summer, says Peter Hill-Wood

Robin van Persie's current deal will expire in June 2013 (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood does not expect to open talks with striker Robin van Persie over a new contract until near the end of the season.

The Gunners want the 28-year-old Holland forward to commit to a new long-term deal, with his current agreement due to expire in June 2013, but the player does not want to discuss the matter until the summer.

"He doesn't want to talk about it at the moment and we are not troubling him," Hill-Wood told the Daily Star.

"I think we will approach him near the end of the season.

"But we obviously hope that he will sign a new contract - I don't see why he should not. I can't believe he is unhappy with us."

Hill-Wood reckons Van Persie has grown as a man since moving to the north London club from Feyenoord in 2004.

He added: "I think he is a decent fellow.

"He was quite difficult at Feyenoord, but we have had no trouble with him."

PA