Former Arsenal manager George Graham is adamant that the club must sell wantaway striker Robin van Persie.

The Gunners skipper, who has just one year left on his current deal at the Emirates, announced yesterday that he intended to leave the North London outfit after talks with Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis.

Arsenal were in the same situation with Samir Nasri last summer before the Frenchman moved to Manchester City for £24m, despite the Gunners insisting that the player would see out the final year of his contract, and Graham believes that his former side must cash in on Van Persie.

"It doesn't bode well for Arsenal for the future because they are trying to build a team and their best players are leaving," said Graham.

"Even though he has a year on his contract, they are going to have to sell him and get the best price.

"Arsenal have always been very strict budget wise and they are not the biggest of payers. But I do believe they will have pushed the boat out on the salary for Van Persie. Obviously he doesn't feel that is enough."

Van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004.