Robin van Persie has had plenty of time to reflect on life with Arsenal during his injury layoff and the Holland forward is as determined as ever to guide the North London club back to the glory trail next season.

Arsenal have had to make do without their top scorer since the end of January when he suffered a fractured foot as he scored the equaliser in the dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Van Persie, whose tally of 13 has yet to be beaten by any of his teammates, has undergone an extensive course of rehabilitation, and had to take a break from the hectic routine of a professional footballer. After spending time at home in the Netherlands, the 23-year-old has stepped up his fitness work and will return to preseason training a couple of weeks before the rest of the squad.

Van Persie, who could have been rushed back into action if needed by Arsène Wenger, the manager, feels that his period away from the game will enable him to return refreshed for the battles ahead next season.

“For the first two weeks [after the injury] all I could do was sit at home. That moment was very hard for me,” Van Persie said. “I was watching lots of football, but there I was, not even able to go to my own kitchen to get a drink. Everything had to be done for me.

“I had a lot of time to think about things, such as how I see Arsenal, how Arsenal sees me, how I can improve. Those things you can really think about, but when you live day to day there is no time to stop and think about it.

“You are too tired and also in football it is always ‘the next game, the next game, this game has gone, look at the next one’ – and suddenly I did not have that for three or four months. That was very interesting.

“This whole situation was a new experience for me and I really had to push myself hard in the last two weeks. I did it, though, and I am proud of that. What I really miss is the atmosphere in the stadium. I think the fans and me have a connection and that is a great feeling.

“I want that feeling back, to celebrate a goal with the fans again. I cannot wait for that, it is my aim now. It is good to be back. I feel like I’m home again now I’m back in London.”

Van Persie said that he could have returned to action for the closing few matches of the campaign “if we really pushed it”. However, with Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League and fourth place in the Barclays Premiership secure, there was no need for Wenger to risk key personnel.

Van Persie has developed under the expert guidance of Wenger since his £2.75 million move from Feyenoord in 2004. The Holland player believes that the present Arsenal squad has what it takes to become title challengers again. “We have been very unlucky this season,” he said. “Personally I do not think it was down to our quality.

“I am sure that if we keep on playing the way that the boss thinks, the way Arsenal thinks, the way most of the players think, we will be successful. Maybe next year, and certainly within two years, as long as we all stay together.”

Arsenal travel to Portsmouth for the final match of the season on Sunday and will finish third if they better Liverpool’s result at home to Charlton Athletic. While much of Wenger’s focus over the summer is likely to be on the appointment of a director of football, after the departure of David Dein from the vice-chairman’s post, as well as any potential for strengthening the squad, speculation continues over the plans of Stan Kroenke, the American billionaire. The entrepreneur recently increased his stake in Arsenal’s parent holdings company to 12.19 per cent.

Peter Hill-Wood, the chairman, has been trying to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the American, but no date has been fixed. “The ball is in his court,” Hill-Wood said. “I am very relaxed and will meet him whenever it is convenient.”

Wenger is reported to be tracking Lukasz Fabianski, the Poland goalkeeper, as he looks to increase the competition for Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia. 14 Goals Van Persie scored in 69 games for Feyenoord, prompting Arsenal to play £2.75 million for the forward