Robin Van Persie does not want Arsenal to hide behind the excuses of an injury and suspension-hit squad amid the ongoing crisis at Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger has been forced to reject suggestions he will resign in the wake of Sunday's 8-2 pummelling at Manchester United, which has capped a wretched few months.

Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have left and no immediate replacements have been bought, much to the fury of some fans who have had to endure a six-year trophy drought.

The deficiencies in Arsenal's squad were highlighted at Old Trafford, where Francis Coquelin had to make his Premier League debut in the absence of the banned Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong.

"We have Swansea in two weeks, which is a good opponent and I look forward to that." Robin van Persie Quotes of the week

Summer signing Gervinho was also suspended, while Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Kieran Gibbs were absent through illness or injury.

But captain Van Persie was not hiding from the humiliating display against United and wants a response against Swansea after the international break, as he told Arsenal Player: "We need to come back.

"We have Swansea in two weeks, which is a good opponent and I look forward to that.

"This was the strongest team we had today (Sunday). We gave our maximum but it was clearly not good enough.

"I don't think we can hide behind injuries or suspensions. It is no excuse. They had injuries too, this is football."

Van Persie also gave credit to the travelling fans who continued to back their team at Old Trafford.

"The fans were great," he said. "That is one really positive thing. They were cheering us up all game for 90 minutes. We really appreciate that.

"Sometimes you see fans leaving early but I did not see that. When we went to the fans to thank them after the game, it looked like every seat was still full.

"That was a good feeling. I love that. It really cheered us up."

Exclusive breaking news from Turkey is that Arsenal have now agreed a €7 million deal with Fenerbahce for brazilan world cup winner and left back Andre Santos (28)

Santos is on route to London as we speak and will sign a 4 year contract after completing his medical.

Eden Hazard has ruled out leaving Lille this summer, ending Arsenal’s hopes of signing him.

Hazard is thought to be Arsene Wenger’s top target this summer and the Gunners were thought to be willing to smash their transfer record to sign the exciting 20-year-old, with a bid of £25m mooted.

However, it seems Wenger will have to look elsewhere after the player insisted he is happy at Lille:

“I hope we will have an even better season than last year. Anyway, I enjoy it here. The rumours must stop. I am here.”

Arsenal have contacted Chelsea about the availability of midfielder Yossi Benayoun, according to Sky Sports Sources.

The Gunners are on the look out for a creative player following the departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas and it seems Arsene Wenger has identified Benayoun as a potential replacement.

The 29-year-old recently admitted he was looking to leave Stamford Bridge and was talking with several clubs, so Arsenal will face competition for his signature.

Полузащитник Самир Насри, недавно перебравшийся из "Арсенала" в "Манчестер Сити", признался, что в его услугах также был заинтересован французский ПСЖ.

"Я говорил с Леонардо, потому что он хотел приобрести меня еще тогда, когда был тренером "Интера". С ПСЖ ситуация был несколько сложнее, так как я сказал ему, что предпочитаю перейти в "МанСити". Парижане уже купили Пасторе из "Палермо", поэтому для них было довольно сложно найти средства, которых бы хватило для моего трансфера", - сказал Насри.