Soccer: Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has told Robin van Persie that if he wants to leave the Emirates Stadium, he needs to do it now.

Van Persie currently has 18 months left on his contract, and the Dutch forward has admitted to not being in any hurry to begin contract talks. Fabregas, who quit Arsenal in the summer to sign for Barcelona, has told van Persie this could be his last chance to leave, given he is already 28.

"I don't know if they will keep him. It is his decision," Fabregas said of his former team-mate. "At his age, if he wants to move it will be his last chance and if he wants to stay he will stay and retire at Arsenal. We will see what he decides but he's been very loyal to Arsenal for a few years. He is a key player, the fans love him.

"He is the role model of Arsenal, the star player and they cannot afford to lose him. He is having an amazing season. Hopefully he will be fit for the whole season. Unfortunately when I was there, he never enjoyed a whole season without injury."

Fabregas himself is loving life at Barca and he hit back at Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood, who suggested he would not get a game at the Nou Camp.

"Some people thought I wouldn't get in the team [at Barca]," said Fabregas. "Maybe they didn't believe in me too much. I speak to the boys at Arsenal. Arsenal gave me everything and I will never forget that. It will always be a special club. The fans have always been amazing to me. I only have amazing words to say about them.

"It was a shame they started so badly but now they are back to winning ways and doing well."