Arsenal Transfer News: Van Persie's Play in Euro 2012 Will Dictate Demand

When you score 30 goals in a season in the Premier League you are already considered a top striker, but how well Robin van Persie plays in Euro 2012 should dictate international demand for his services moving forward.

In that sense, Arsenal should be praying Van Persie doesn't have a spectacular showing in Euro 2012. There is already unrest at Emirates concerning the 28-year-old's next step. Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood recently told the Sunday Mirror that he was worried Van Persie would demand too much money from the Gunners, according to ESPN.

Before Van Persie's goal on Wednesday against Germany, he had been playing relatively poorly by his standards. He had missed more than a few scoring opportunities for the Netherlands in the early stages of the tournament, with the Dutch getting shut out by underdog Denmark in their opening match.

Van Persie will attract more than a few notable suitors this offseason regardless, but if he blows up in Euro 2012, that could increase the market for his services even more. That means Arsenal may have to compete with more money.

Arsenal has made some steps to potentially keep Van Persie. The side signed Germany's Lukas Podolski in late April and is reportedly close to signing dynamic Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud. In that regard, there's a chance Van Persie stays at Emirates with a better shot to win the Premier League title next season.

But sometimes a great amount of money makes it difficult to stay loyal with a club. Van Persie may give Arsenal a bit of a discount, but when you are talking about a wide gap between what Arsenal offers and what other clubs bring to the table, Van Persie may follow the money trail.

Arsenal can't afford for Van Persie to explode in Euro 2012. It would push him further away from Emirates.