VAN PERSIE MAY HAVE A RETHINK NOW THAT ARSENAL'S SIGNED FRENCHMAN GIROUD

With the arrival of French striker Giroud  in north London clubs who earlier stepped down from bidding for van Persie may be back! 

Van Persie, the barclay's English Premier League's top scorer with 30 goals last season, has been linked with moves to Manchester City and Juventus and the Italian champions.

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger is said to be considering playing an attacking trio of Giroud, Van Persie and the Gunners' other new recruit Lukas Podolski as part of a 4-3-3 formation which the Frenchman tried out last year.

The 28-year-old Van Persie, who joined Arsenal in 2004, has always said he would never consider playing for another English club but City will also have perked up at the news of Giroud's arrival.

Its been reported that the Premier League champions are prepared to offer him wages of 250,000 pounds ($390,000) a week. Juventus cannot hope to match that but any striker would surely be interested in teaming up with playmaker Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings in midfield as the Italian giants bid to return to the pinnacle of European football.

With Van Persie's contract up for renewal in 2013, Wenger is hoping that adding to Arsenal's strike force will actually encourage the Dutchman to stay at the Emirates rather than push him away.

That proposed 4-3-3 formation could just as easily develop into a more flexible 4-5-1 or 4-3-2-1, possibly with Van Persie leading the line, and Giroud does not envisage any great problems.

Concerning Arsene Wenger's 4-3-3 formation, Giroud said:

"I'm a player who likes to play, who likes to participate in the game," he told Arsenal's official website (www.arsenal.com). "That's why I think the way Arsenal play will suit me.

"There is a nice sporting challenge as well at Arsenal, and I will play to create history and enjoy myself and give pleasure to the fans.

"Of course, there are big strikers here, it is a big club and there will be a lot of competition for places.

"But it's up to me to win my place."

What we know is that with the current turn of events, Arsenal's dutch goal merchant, Van Persie might have some thinking to do at this stage of his career...28years of age? Think he definitely will.