Arsenal post financial profits, RVP urged to stay by Szczesny

Things have improved dramatically at the Emirates following Arsenal‘s 5-2 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

A day after the win, the club has posted pre-tax profits of £49.5million for the six months to the end of November, thanks to the money generated from the summer sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. The Gunners were in a loss of £6.1million last season over the same period. The club’s cash reserves also went up to £115.2million, from £110.4million, with their turnover from football rising to £113.5million from £97.6million. Chairman Peter Hill-Wood told the club’s official website:

“We are proud of Arsenal’s record and consistency over many seasons and have the foundations in place, at every level of the club, to ensure we remain a force in the seasons ahead.”

Szczesny confident of Van Persie stay

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny remains confident that talismanic skipper Robin van Persie will be at the club next season. The Dutch international is yet to sign a contract extension with the club he joined back in 2004 from Feyenoord and his future at the Emirates has been a subject of speculation since the departure of big names Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer. Speaking to London Evening Standard, Szczesny said:

“We really don’t discuss that, it is not our business. We just want to have him at the club. We are trying to make the most of it while he is here, he is a great captain and leader of the team and we are very pleased to have him.

“I’m personally confident that he will stay at Arsenal. That is where he belongs and that is where he is at his very best. Robin does his talking on the pitch by scoring all the goals for this club and I think that shows you his commitment. We are confident that he will be staying at Arsenal.”