Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told BBC Sport that the club have started negotiations with Robin van Persie over a new contract.
Van Persie, the club's captain, has already scored nine goals in 13 games for Arsenal this season and his current deal runs until July 2013.
He is the only current Arsenal player to have won a trophy while at the club.
Wenger said: "He has 18 months to go and I'm confident he'll sign a new deal. I'm always confident."
More to follow.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...al/default.stm