Arsenal will not be rushed into making an announcement on captain Robin van Persie's future, chief executive Ivan Gazidis insists.

Van Persie scored 37 times for the Gunners last season but he could leave the Emirates Stadium this summer if he fails to agree an extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.

Talks over Van Persie's contract ended without agreement last month and Manchester City have vowed to bid for the striker if he becomes available.

Child's play: Robin van Persie at the opening of the Orange Cruyff Court in Krakow on Tuesday

Van Persie, who is on international duty with Holland at Euro 2012, described another one of his suitors, Juventus, as a 'great team', further fuelling suggestions he could quit London.

But despite the uncertainty over their skipper's future, Gazidis says the Gunners will not be pressured into making a declaration on the matter soon.

'Robin sat down with us at the end of the season and we had a good discussion,' Gazidis told Arsenal's website. 'What we agreed at that meeting was that we would keep all the discussions we had over the summer to ourselves and make announcements when it is the right time.

'We have to respect the fact we have agreed to keep that among ourselves. Robin is clearly focused on the Euros at the moment and we wish him well, and at the right time we will make the right announcements.'

City signed Samir Nasri from Arsenal under similar circumstances last season when the midfielder had 12 months left on his contract. The Frenchman went on to win the Barclays Premier League with his new club, and City could offer Van Persie a bumper contract way above what he currently earns with Arsenal.

Van Persie's value to Arsenal is clear. The Dutchman's 30 Barclays Premier League goals almost single-handedly rescued them from major failure last season as they fought back from a woeful start to finish third.

There were calls for Arsene Wenger's head when Arsenal lost three of their opening five games - one of which was an 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United - but Gazidis is glad the club kept faith with their manager of 16 years.

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