Van Persie's exit plan in doubt as Arsenal reinforce squad

Arsenal's impending signings of Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin are a considerable statement of intent and execution.

The Cazorla deal should be completed by the end of this week for around £18million and the Londoners will then turn their attention to capturing Sahin from Real Madrid on a season-long loan.

It is the knock-on effect of these two players moving to Emirates Stadium – and the enticing possibilities which it provides for the team - that is generating such excitement, not only among supporters but the players too.

It is understood that the atmosphere was different at the club's London Colney training ground on Wednesday. It is said to have felt re-energised and uplifted. The players are well aware that the lavishly gifted Cazorla, a mainstay of the Spain squad that has dominated world football for the last four years, is on his way to the club.

A blue-chip attacking midfielder who can create and score goals goes some way to filling the gap left by the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri 12 months ago.

Intriguingly, Van Persie's body language was different. The skipper has trained fully in the last three weeks but he has effectively been going through the motions while he waits for a move to materialise.

On Wednesday there was a shift in his behaviour. He appeared more motivated and interested. Forty-eight hours earlier, the Dutchman appeared simply to be keeping in shape, biding his time and fulfilling his contract.

Now it was different. The prospect of staying at Arsenal did not seem the career suicide that he felt it was when he released his incendiary statement on July 4 that questioned the club's ambition and made it clear that he would not extend a contract that expires in 12 months' time.

The impending signing of a proven A-list playmaker from La Liga answers at a stroke the well-merited criticism that Arsene Wenger only develops stars and never signs them.

The prospect of leading a team with Podolski, Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky competing for the three attacking midfield positions behind him and Wenger hoping to field two of Sahin, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and Abou Diaby – and eventually Wilshere - for the two central midfield slots is believed to be exciting Van Persie.