Robin van Persie has revealed that Arsenal's renowned focus on youth recently manifested itself in the club inviting his five-year-old son to join their youth training ranks.

33687 - Van Persie Jnr on Arsenal's radar

Shaqueel, also a keen golfer, currently plays for a team near to the Van Persie family home and his father recognises that "he has got a lot of talent for football".

But the Gunners captain decided to turn down an approach to take Shaqueel into one of the Arsenal junior sides as his son is happy where he is.

"I honestly have to say that he has got a lot of talent for football," Van Persie was quoted as saying in The Guardian. "I recognise a lot of stuff of myself in him.

"His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He's sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me."

Shaqueel van Persie would not be the first young footballer to join his dad's club - among those playing at present is Rafael van der Vaart's son Damian, who is involved with the Tottenham Under-6s.