Arsene Wenger remains confident Arsenal captain Robin van Persie will not be sold this summer.

The Holland skipper was relaxed about his future as he collected the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award on Thursday, insisting no matter what happens during the rest of his career he would "always be a Gunner''.

Van Persie, 28, is set to sit down with Arsenal at the end of the season for discussions over a contract extension, with another year left on his current deal.

Despite suggestions the Gunners would look to cash in on their captain - as they did earlier this season with contract rebel Samir Nasri who eventually was sold to Manchester City for £24million - Wenger maintained that scenario was not on the horizon.

"Who would want to lose his best player? My desire and my wish is to find an agreement with Robin van Persie, extend the contract and stay with us for a longer time. Hopefully we can reach that,'' said Wenger, whose side host Norwich on Saturday aiming to strengthen their grip on third place in the Barclays Premier League.

"If that wouldn't happen, we will still want him to stay, but I am more focused on the first situation.

"I think what is important for us is that we find an agreement with him to be happy and to stay and finish his career here.''

Wenger continued: "I cannot guarantee that it will go well, but I am quite confident.

"I believe Robin is committed to the club, I feel that the club has shown great commitment to him over the years and put great faith in him.

"I brought him here a long, long time ago and he has developed fantastically well as a man and as a player.

"Today he is a world-class player and he deserves great credit. Hopefully we can keep him here.''

Arsenal's hand would be strengthened significantly were they able to offer guaranteed Champions League football again next season.

That the Gunners have that within their own grasp heading into the final two matches of what started out as a testing campaign is remarkable in itself.

While Newcastle and Tottenham are both now only one point behind following their midweek wins, Wenger knows Arsenal's destiny remains in their own control.

"Our dream was to be in the situation we are in now three months ago. It is now down to us to get over the line,'' said Wenger, who will take charge of his 900th game.

"That looks quite difficult at the moment because we had a few opportunities we didn't take and so we have another opportunity tomorrow which we want to take.

"The team is focused and ready to do the job, it's now for us to get over the line.''

Meanwhile, Norwich manager Paul Lambert maintains his side will be out to continue their "fairytale'' when they head to the Emirates, with Barclays Premier League safety already secured.

The Canaries have performed beyond expectations on a first return to the top flight in six seasons, staying well clear of the predicted relegation dogfight with survival guaranteed following QPR's comprehensive defeat to Chelsea last weekend.

Norwich may have suffered three successive defeats, the last being a 3-0 home rout by Luis Suarez inspired Liverpool, but Lambert insists his men can head to Emirates Stadium and play with freedom on the back of plenty of hard graft.

"It has been brilliant. The lads have been absolutely terrific for us and they have earned the right to go again,'' Lambert told a press conference.

"I can't fault them for what they have done and the way they have played in games. I'm proud of them.''

Lambert has guided Norwich to back-to-back promotions up from npower League One since taking over at Carrow Road in August 2009.

He continued: "If you are talking fairytale football this is the story that has happened over the past three years, to go from the bottom of League One to sustaining it in the Premier League.

"They have got 43 points, hopefully we can get a few more, but in the cold light of day it has been incredible.

"I never really think about myself. I have always said the most important people at the club are the players and the people who come and watch.

"I get great satisfaction from that and for the backroom staff.''

[url=soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/317989]Match[/url]

The Toy Guns really impressed me this season. They started so weak and are finishing ok. They have man u to thank for that 8-2 thriller (that forced them to buy 4 players in close market).
If wenger can hold on to his stars and spend a little bit more, maybe they'll be back among the big boys, because they are just over-performing now (considering their team)

Go go gunner....
Mukina, pray for us today O! We must win O!

I pray we win today, it might look like an easy game, but we have a record of lossing our foot to lower sides

gunners for life jo o

Come on gunners...

dotcom_na_me_na_me: Go go gunner....
Mukina, pray for us today O! We must win O!

yes o we have to win, by fox!

hehe kos dey chew like goat

the boys warming up

Muki, u need to ring Wenger now now to play podolski O!

ramsey o

wenger's 900th game

dotcom_na_me_na_me: Muki, u need to ring Wenger now now to play podolski O!

you nor well o

game on!!

gooaal!!!!!!

GOAL !!! Benayoun no even gree me sit down.

benayoun scores on his 32nd birthday coool!!!!

nice header away tv5!

Up d gunners!!

ok norwich keeper see gibbs cross

dang Holt wan level o

Nice block by Gibbs.

phew it was a foul but still chesney got the ball

Norwich seeing more of the ball and its in our own half.

they score

shyte, e don happen.

Scezsny don turn apere.

Links please! Sky sports dey dull

1- 1 mhew, whats wrong with these guys sef?

nice one persie

corner kick arsenal

kos go easy o!

Wenger has lost it

arghhh ramsey . .smh

holt na wetin sef

offside norwich