Robin van Persie claims his bad-boy days are behind him and will commit his future to Arsenal if they match his ambition to end the club's trophy drought.

The Dutchman has been sent off three times and developed a controversial reputation since moving to England from Feyenoord in 2004.

But after William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy in November and his replacement, Cesc Fabregas, suffered a serious knee injury, the Gunners needed a spearhead to rally the troops. The 25-year-old became that figure and his displays have helped propel Arsenal above Aston Villa in the race to a top-four Premier League finish, the FA Cup semi-finals and the Champions League quarter-finals.

In an interview with this month's Champions magazine, he said: "I believe the wild days are behind you when you reach 25. From this age on, you should be reaping the rewards of what you've learned. After seven years in professional football I now have what I need to go further.

"I've heard and seen enough - it's as if I've crossed a barrier. I see players between 25 and 30 having their best years. In a certain sense, it feels like a voyage of discovery and I feel I'm where I want to be as a footballer. This also applies to physical development. Now, I can play out matches a lot easier."

Van Persie has reportedly stalled over a new three-year, £80,000-a-week deal as Arsenal's Champions League future hangs in the balance. Barcelona are among a host of clubs thought to have expressed an interest but he hinted Arsenal need only to splash out in the transfer market to convince him his future lies in North London.

"In Spanish papers there are so many names mentioned and I haven't heard anything concrete from Barcelona," said Van Persie, who has less than 18 months left on his present deal.

"I can't do anything about those rumours. I'm still in negotiations with Arsenal and it's going well, in a very positive atmosphere. There are further meetings planned.

"Financially Arsenal's last offer is fine but that isn't everything for me. It's about my ambitions and how they can be fulfilled.

"The club and I want the same and it's our intention to achieve that. We have all the other factors in place: fantastic stadium, dedicated support and money in the bank. Now it's about making that final push. In the last four years, I've only won one prize, the FA Cup - and that is too little. I want to push through to achieve more. That is something I feel in my mind and my body. It's difficult to explain but I certainly feel I can play an important role in taking Arsenal to a higher level."

Van Persie has had to stomach considerable disappointment as Arsenal's Premier League title campaign quickly disintegrated with defeats against Fulham, Hull and Stoke. Prior to the groin problem that forced him out of the Holland squad this week, the striker whose Arsenal career has been blighted by injuries revealed the secret behind his sustained run in the side.

"People underestimate the importance of diet - I was always a big meat eater and had steak three times a week, until someone at Arsenal told me too much meat has a negative influence on the muscles," said Van Persie. "I spoke about that with Kolo Toure because he was eating meat every day. He stopped and says he hasn't had any muscle problems since. Now I only eat meat once during the week and never the day before a match. Now it's fish and pasta. This is one small thing that can improve my performance.

"Now I'm smarter. For example, we were due to play West Ham recently. I'd played the full 90 minutes in the previous eight matches. I said I wasn't 100 per cent fit but I could still play. The manager recognised I was being sensible and said: "OK, then you won't start'.

"I've become realistic. I now understand that you have to look further than the next match. Now I can ask more from myself while continually extending my limits."

Champions, the official magazine of the UEFA Champions League is on sale tomorrow, price £3.95