Robin Van Persie turned down potential mega offers from Chelsea, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Juventus before signing his new four-year deal with Arsenal.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is a long-time admirer of the 25-year-old Dutch striker and a move to Arsenal’s local rivals would have meant Van Persie did not need to uproot his family from their London home.

Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager now in charge at Inter, also wanted to sign Van Persie.

With Juventus and Manchester City ready to throw millions in wages at the Dutchman, and Arsenal not winning any silverware for a fourth season, the player could not have been blamed if he had headed through the Emirates’ exit.

But Van Persie is adamant he has done the right thing in staying put.

He said: “I made a list. I wrote on one side what I had. And I wrote down what was lacking.

“At Arsenal, Arsene Wenger (above) values my contribu-tioto the team, my fellow players show the same appreciation and everyone who works in the club is wonderful and so warm to me.

“Apart from all that I have a great connection with the supporters. I find it fascinating how they show their love for me as a player.

“My heart says that I cannot play in the shirt of another club for the next four years. Money has never been an issue in my career.

“When I signed my first contract at Arsenal, I was not on big money at all.

“Now the club have shown their appreciation. But it is not the money-side why I signed a new deal.

“All I want to feel is a bit of respect and a good relationship with everyone at the club. And that’s what I have here.” Arsenal’s lack of honours does trouble their talismanic striker.

Van Persie added: “The desire to win trophies is even bigger now.”

Manchester United were too strong in their Champions League semi-final clash with Arsenal last season.

Van Persie said: “It would have been easy to say ‘We had no chance again to win a trophy, I quit and will sign for another club’.

“But that’s not me. I am not a quitter.”

Welldone to him – he has suddenly gained a huge amount of respect which many footballers don’t get these days. He plays for the football not the money.

REMEMBER:

THIS YEAR ARSENAL-HIGHLIGHTS.CO.UK HAS A FANTASY LEAGUE RUNNING:

YOU CAN FIND IT AT: http://www.fantasy.premierleague.com

If you have a team join our league:

The confirmation code is: 5290-2123