Robin Van Persie is set to undergo an operation that could bring an end to his persistent injury problems.

Van Persie scored 20 goals for Arsenal this season but still missed several chunks of the season with muscular problems.

Consensus among Arsenal’s medical team is that the Dutchman could be aided by the removal of his wisdom teeth, and Arsene Wenger has insisted that the operations goes ahead.

Wenger has even denied Van Persie his preferred surgeon in order to make sure he gets the very best treatment.

“I fear I’ll be forced to drink porridge through a straw. My osteopaths think there may be a connection between my teeth and the muscle injuries I suffer,” Van Persie was quoted as saying in The People.

“Something like that is very difficult to prove. But if the operation makes just one percent difference it’ll be worth it.

“It could have an influence on the recovery time my body needs after an injury. Three of the four specialists I chose were rejected by the club.”

striker Nicklas Bendtner has warned Zlatan Ibrahimovic he intends to become the pin-up of Scandinavian football within three years - then become the best in the world.

Denmark forward Bendtner struggles to hold down a regular place at The Emirates while Swede Ibrahimovic helped Inter to the Serie A title this season - and was also the top scorer in Italy.

But this has not deterred Bendtner, who at 21 believes he has nowhere near reached his peak while insisting it's all downhill from here for 27-year Ibrahimovic.

The Gunners star said: 'In about three years, I will be better than Zlatan. He is older than me and has now reached his peak as the top scorer in Serie A - but I have a plan, I believe in it and I am ready.

'Next season, I can finally make my breakthrough and then I still have two years to become better than Zlatan – and I will.

'By then I will be close to my peak and will be able to look upon myself as one of the world’s greatest strikers.'

Arsene Wenger does not need to sell Emmanuel Adebayor or any of his young Gunners.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is constantly linked with Barcelona but Wenger is under no pressure to generate cash for new recruits.

He said: 'We do not have to sell because we have a balanced budget. I believe that what is important at this stage is to keep the players you have.

'People think it is a disaster to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League and the FA Cup while finishing fourth. OK, you can do better but if that is a disaster, then the future of the club is very promising.

'Legacy is about leaving the club in every aspect that is important in a good situation. It means you leave a good squad with good young players, a good financial situation and a good structure.

'What is the most important is that the club continues to improve and the state of our club is fantastic.'

Wenger prefers top take a glass-half-full look at Arsenal's achievements in recent years.

He said: 'People say we have not won anything since 2005 which is true but it's how you present it. We were in the Champions League final in 2006, the quarter-finals in 2008 and the semi-finals in 2009. We nearly won the league last year too, so although we haven't won anything it is not as if we haven't been competing at the top level.'

The Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho is preparing to try and hijack the contract negotiations between Arsenal and Robin Van Persie by bidding £25m for the Holland international striker, according to todays Sunday Mirror.

Van Persie has two years left on his contract at the Emirates, but contract talks have stalled as Arsenal are refusing to pay him the £90,000 a week that he thinks he is worth.

The Dutch striker is currently away on international duty at the moment, but Mourinho wants talks to begin with Arsenal as soon as possible, and he will promise to pay Van Persie the wages he wants.