Koscielny urges Van Persie to stay and help Arsenal end trophy drought

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has urged his teammate Robin van Persie to stay at the Emirates and finally put an end to the Gunners' seven-year quest for silverware.

 Arsene Wenger's side last lifted a trophy back in 2005, when it became the first club to win the FA Cup on penalties after a goalless draw with Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium.

 And Koscielny is confident that the Dutch striker can spark up an immediate rapport with 9.6 million pound man Olivier Giroud and fire Arsenal to long overdue glory.

 "Giroud and Robin van Persie can play together," the Frenchman told RMC.

 "RVP is one of the greatest strikers in the world. We all want him to stay and help Arsenal win a trophy"

 There has been plenty of speculation regarding Van Persie's future after the striker announced his intention to not extend his current contract at the Emirates after becoming disillusioned with the direction the club was taking.

 But, in spite of the setback, Koscielny remains fully behind his boss and believes Arsenal is the perfect environment for the former PSV striker to thrive.

 "I trust Arsene Wenger. I had to continue with him," he said.

 "Giroud wanted to have information [about Arsenal]. I did my job and told him that Arsenal was a club where there was everything he needed to improve.

 "With the stadium, the training center or in terms of atmosphere in the club, I told him what I thought about the club and that's what tipped the balance."