ARSENAL NEWS: Van Persie Talks Reportedly Break Down As Vieira Claims The Gunners Left It Too Late

Arsenal's crunch talks with Robin van Persie reportedly broke down without any agreement being reached, as the striker's future at the Emirates becomes ever more precarious, according to The Sun.

Manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazids met with the PFA and Football Writer's Player of the Year earlier this week to attempt to persuade Van Persie to agree an extension to a contract that has just a year left to run.

It was thought that both parties were eager for a resolution before Van Persie flew off to join the Dutch squad ahead of Euro 2012. But that has not been the case. It is now being reported by the Guardian that the 28-year-old will now delay any decision until after the tournament in order to evaluate the offers that arrive for his services.

Manchester City are said to be at the head of the queue in pursuit of Van Persie, with Arsenal desperate to avoid a repeat of the saga last summer when Samir Nasri eventually moved to Etihad. The midfielder also had a year left to run on his deal and, despite claims that they would hold Nasri to his contract, Arsenal reluctantly agreed to sell him rather than allow him to leave on a free transfer.

Arsenal are said to be making similar posturing over Van Persie, as the striker continues to hesitate over Arsenal's offer--of £130,000 a week, plus a £5 million re-signing bonus--to extend his deal, according to the Guardian.

Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, who now works as Manchester City's football development executive, has claimed that Arsenal should never have allowed the situation to reach this tense position.

I think this is something they should have closed a long time ago, but Arsenal don't need me to tell them what to do, he said, according to the Daily Mirror. That's the way it is and they will have to deal with it.

And the Frenchman added that it won't just be City--who are reportedly willing to double the terms Arsenal has offered--that will be interested in Van Persie.

I don't think it will be only City who would like this kind of player, Vieira added. I don't think you have many talents like Robin who have just one year left on their contracts--I think there will be a lot of teams who want a signing like him.