Gervinho: Arsenal cannot lose Van Persie

Gervinho believes Arsenal can end their seven-year trophy next season but insists they cannot afford to lose Robin van Persie this summer. The Dutchman has been in terrific form this year, scoring 34 goals to help pull the Gunners back from the abyss. "The standout player for me this year has been Robin van Persie," Gervinho said. "You can see his class with his finishing, how he leads the group, and with his experience. "He is a player who has grown in to the role of captain and is the sort of player you need during the hard times." Arsenal have undergone the most turbulent season since Arsene Wenger took charge of the club 16 years ago. The Londoners, who have not lifted a trophy since 2005, had a traumatic start to the season winning just once in their opening five games including a humiliating 8-2 thrashing at Manchester United in August. But Gervinho feels the good times aren't too far away from returning to the Emirates. The Ivory Coast star told Arsenal Player: "We can still win lots of trophies and we can do great things in the future. We have a bright future because this is a good club. "We are all still young, we have got some good players here, a good group. We have been through a lot of difficult times this season, lots of people have wavered in their belief of us.  "They have said this and they have said that, but we have returned to form and now we are going to try to finish the season well." Wenger had to sell Samir Nasri to Manchester City last summer after he made it clear he would not extend his contract beyond 2012. Arsenal may face a similar predicament at the end of this season as City have declared their interest in Robin van Persie, whose deal expires next year.