Play it hard – RVP

Robin van Persie has called on Arsenal to "toughen up" next season if they want to compete with the best teams in the EPL and Europe. This comes after the Gunners went trophyless for the fifth consecutive year this past season. "We need to make it clear to people: 'if you want to play football, we can play football. If you want to play hard, we can play hard’,” said the Dutchman on Friday. "We can do that, we have it within ourselves, but we need to do it consistently - because if we don't, we lose points and give the wrong message." The North Londoners are chasing Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer from Bordeaux, England ‘keeper Robert Green, Fulham centre-half Brede Hangeland, Senegal international Pape Diakhate and Barcelona's defensive midfielder Yaya Toure in a bid to start challenging for honours once again.