Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is delighted that Robin van Persie has publicly committed himself to the club but admits that it would be 'ideal' if the forward puts pen to paper.

Van Persie's current contract with the Gunners runs out in June 2013 and his apparent lack of urgency to enter negotiations over an extension has sparked suggestions that he could move to Manchester City next summer.

However, the Netherlands international dismissed these rumours in his pre-match programme notes ahead of Arsenal's 2-1 home victory over Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday in which he scored both goals.

Wenger is glad that the 28-year-old has publicly revealed his desire to continue with the North London side but admits that it would be "ideal" if a new contract is officially drawn.

"Unfortunately the ideal situation in football does not exist often," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"The ideal situation is that he extends his contract but if he doesn't you have to respect that.

"You know what is important is that he plays like he plays because we are all here to see special football players and he is a special football player."
Commitment

"It depends what you call commitment," explained the Frenchman on the issue of commitment of his captain. "For me commitment is not about how long you are at a club.

"As long as you are at a club you will give 100 per cent until the last day of your contract. That for me is what you call commitment.

"The length of a contract is completely different. For me you have players who have ten-year contracts who don't give full commitment, and for me it is not about the length of a contract.

"He knows that we are ready to talk about it but the most important thing is today and how much you are committed to the cause as long as you are at the club."

Sunday's win at the Emirates has placed Arsenal in 10th spot in the league standings, with 10 points from eight matches.

Carlos has approved

When Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson curled in the free-kick on Sunday against us, midfielder Tomas Rosicky was seen ‘laughing’ as the ball sailed into the net. At that moment, many Arsenal fans and the commentators were asking, “why on earth would he be laughing if we have just had a goal scored against us?”

Rosicky has come out and explained himself, he said, “I was laughing? That’s not laughter because, to be honest, when he took the ball immediately I was thinking about the situation when Rooney scored at Old Trafford.

“That wasn’t a laugh – it was a desperate laugh that such a screamer would be scored again. I don’t have to turn around. When I see his face and he is celebrating, why should I turn around? I have been here six years and anyone who thinks I would laugh at that . . . for people to take it that way is frankly unbelievable.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits there’s no guarantee Robin van Persie will pen a new contract.    Van Persie insisted before scoring twice yesterday against Sunderland that he remains committed to the club, but Wenger concedes Arsenal are powerless to make him sign an extension to his current contract which expires in 2013.    “For me, commitment is as long as you are at the club – it is not how long you are at the club,” said Wenger. “It means you give 100 per cent until the last day of your contract.    “Robin knows we are ready to talk about a new contract. The ideal situation is he extends his length of contract, but if he does not we have to respect that.”