Wenger: Arsenal will cope without van Persie

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal will find a way to replace Robin van Persie despite being held to a second straight goalless draw, by Stoke, at the start of the Premier League season. Star striker van Persie scored 37 goals in all competitions last term but left to join top-flight rivals Manchester United in a reported £24 million move. Wenger saw his side struggle in the attacking third of the field against a determined Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday but remains confident that Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Gervinho, supported by attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla, will eventually all come good. “The understanding was missing,” said Wenger. “One month ago Cazorla and Podolski did not know each other. There is work to be done on the training ground. There is potential but something is missing. “I am very positive about my team. We haven’t scored in two games but we played against two units that defended very well.” The Frenchman added: “If you want to convince we’ve lost an exceptional player you are wasting your time. I was the first to say that.”