Arsenal forward Gervinho admits it is vital that captain Robin van Persie stays at the club.

Van Persie underlined his importance to the Gunners yet again when he climbed off the bench to score twice in yesterday's 3-1 win over Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.

The 28-year-old has now hit a phenomenal 30 goals in 36 matches in 2011, but his current contract runs out in less than two years and he has not begun discussions about a new one.

Gervinho showed he too can be a big part of Arsenal's future by opening the scoring and, after Peter Crouch equalised for Stoke, setting up both of Van Persie's goals.

And while manager Arsene Wenger insists the Gunners are no one-man team, Gervinho knows they cannot afford to be without their Dutch talisman.

He is the captain, his role is to galvanise the group and he assumes the responsibility.
Gervinho on Robin van Persie

"We always need our best players so a player like Robin, frankly, we need him to stay at the club," said the Côte d'Ivoire international. "It would give me pleasure if he stayed. I have just arrived and I would like him to stay so I can play with him a while longer.

"This is a personal thing between Robin, the coach and the directors. Each of us takes care of his own career and the most important thing in the dressing room is to talk about the team.

"Psychologically, Robin is good for us. He is among the most experienced players on the pitch and when he comes on, he puts the opposition's defence under pressure and that helps our game.

"Against Stoke, he came on and scored two goals. He is an excellent player and the team need him. You always have to have leaders in the group and he is a player who drags the team forward. He is the captain, his role is to galvanise the group and he assumes the responsibility."