Arsenal: Five players who went on to better things after Arsenal

Robin Van Persie believes he has more chance of winning silverware away from the Emirates and will not be signing a new contract at the club. With Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus reportedly after him, you can see his point. 

While Arsenal are a fine side, they have fallen behind in the title winning stakes and rivals Spurs, Chelsea and even Newcastle have designs on beating them to a top four finish this season. 

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has warned Robin Van Persie that not too many people leave Arsenal and go onto better things, but here are five players who have done better away from Arsenal.

5. Patrick Vieira. The former Arsenal captain ended years of speculation when he eventually left in 2005. The World Cup winner joined Juventus and won Serie A four years on the trot. The first was with the Old Lady before the match-fixing scandal saw them relegated and Vieira moved to Inter. Vieira also won the Italian Supercopa twice. However, although he added numerous trophies to his collection, Vieira was never the same imposing and commanding player that he was at Arsenal as injuries, fitness and age caught up with him. It didn't prevent Vieira from winning the FA Cup though when Roberto Mancini brought him back to England with Manchester City.

4. Cesc Fabregas. The young spaniard was always destined for great things and has already picked up four trophies inside his first 12 months at Barca - Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Super Cup and FIFA World Club World Cup. Fabregas may have missed out on La Liga and the Champions League but it won't be long before the Catalan giants are back in amongst the trophies. Not forgetting that he played his part in Spain's historic European Championship winning team.

3. Samir Nasri. The Frenchman was accused of choosing Manchester City over United due to money, but it was City who were celebrating on the final day of the season by clinching the Premier League title. Nasri may not have hogged the headlines as much as his team-mates Silva, Toure and Balotelli and co, but the Frenchman has a Premier League winner's medal in his trophy cabinet.

2. Thierry Henry. Arsenal's record-breaking striker may have left his best days behind him at Arsenal, but that didn't stop him from clinching a host of major honours at the Nou Camp. Henry won back-to-back La Ligas, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and the FIFA Club World Cup. Now at New York Red Bulls, Henry has also won the Eastern Conference.

1. Ashley Cole. Cashley left the Gunners when Roman Abramovich flashed the cash in his direction, but the England international has never looked back. He won the Premier League in 2010, has added four FA Cup winner's medals to his haul, the League Cup and the Champions League. Cole is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world and has continued to shine away from the Emirates.

However, there are a number of players who have failed to reproduce the goods away from Arsenal. Here are five players who have failed to hit the highs away from the Emirates.

Here are five players who have failed to hit the highs in their career after leaving Arsenal