Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has criticised unnamed "English colleagues" for their party lifestyle and raised doubts over whether Gunners can win the Barclays Premier League next season.

Reflecting on his motivations, Van Persie rejected the notion that money or lifestyle were enough to keep him happy, but appeared to question whether young English players shared his philosophy.

"The really top players aren't fooled by riches or fame because they are fully focused with their football," he said.

"For me, it's very important to be having breakfast every morning with my two children and that wouldn't be possible if you were hanging about in a disco all night.

"When I see some of my English colleagues who are out till three in the morning, then I can only conclude that they are invariably finished at 33."

As for Arsenal's prospects of winning the title, Van Persie appeared downbeat after the Gunners again failed to mount a credible challenge last season, despite being well set going into the final third of the season.

"Every year it always goes wrong in an identical way and that is frustrating," said Van Persie. "When you look at results in the last years, then Arsenal shouldn't be talking about winning the league because too many times things have gone wrong.

"Sometimes you have to eat the truth and be realistic. But I do believe with the signing of a number of players, then next season we should be in there competing for prizes."

A REPORT this morning has claimed Arsenal have sealed a £12m deal for Saints winger Alex Chamberlain.

The story, in a national newspaper, says that the 17-year-old will be confirmed as a Gunner on July 1.

The piece goes on to add that the deal will be based on achievements and appearances.

For their part, Saints have always insisted the academy graduate is not for sale, and there has been no official confirmation of any deal as yet.

The Bolton defender Gary Cahill has been the subject of rumours regarding a move to either Man City or Arsenal, and it was thought that Arsene Wenger was prepared to break his transfer record to take Cahill to the Emirates.

But today it has been confirmed that the Man City boss Robert Mancini has already given a proposal to Bolton, which involved using the young Belgium international Dedryck Boyata as a makeweight.

The deal didn’t come to pass and Boyata’s father has admitted that his son refused to move to the Reebok, although he is keen on joining David Moyes at Goodison Park.

Bienvenu Boyata said in the Mail: “There was talk of a swap with Cahill at Bolton, but Dedryck does not want to go there. Everton are showing interest in him as well, and they are very much an option for him.”

Mancini knows that he has to slim down his enormous squad to make room for the further new arrivals this summer, so is he still tring to come to an arrangement with Bolton for Cahill? Perhaps involving other players going the other way?