Van Persie delays contract talks

Robin van Persie has confirmed that contract talks with Arsenal are on hold until the summer as he looks to concentrate on on-field matters.

The in-form Holland international, 28, has been the subject of recent speculation linking him with a move away from the Emirates Stadium with his current deal expiring in 2013. But speaking ahead of Sunday's north London derby with Tottenham, Van Persie has sought to clarify the situation.

"There have been a lot of stories, generally contradictory ones, about my contract situation recently so I'd like to make it clear," the Arsenal captain said in Sunday's Official Matchday Programme. "There's nothing complicated or sinister - the club and I have both agreed to speak at the end of the season and see how things stand."

He added: The boss, Ivan Gazidis and I are all comfortable with it.

"I need all my focus to be on football - on captaining this team, improving every day, doing extra work on the training pitch and preparing for the very busy schedule of fixtures we have.

"If I look down the list, there's not much time to sit down and think about anything else!

"For me, this is a time to play football and not speak about personal things.

"All of my energy needs to go on getting this team where we want it to be this season."

After facing Spurs, Arsenal take on Liverpool next weekend before then hosting AC Milan in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, where Arsene Wenger's men will attempt to overturn a 4-0 deficit.