Robin van Persiecould make his Manchester United debut against Everton. Photo: Nigel French/EMPICS Sport

Peter Hill-Wood says that the Gunners can’t pay the same wages as the Citizens can

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has confessed that the Gunners can not compete with the resources of Manchester City.

The north London club’s board has come under fire for failing to invest, which has led to Robin van Persie deciding not to sign a new contract.

“We don’t have the same oil wealth that [City’s owner] Sheikh Mansour has,” Hill-Wood said.

“He is prepared to pay astronomical figures for players; we cannot pay that sort of money, and we can’t compete.”

Hill-Wood insisted that the policy of spending within their means will continue.

“We give the manager as much money as we possibly can, and all we can do is continue. We have run the club sensibly, and we haven’t done badly; it’s not as if we have been relegated.”