Robin van Persie is set to retain the Arsenal captaincy for tomorrow's friendly against FC Cologne.

The Daily Star says boss Arsene Wenger has continued to treat the Dutchman as his captain, consulting with him regularly since his return to training.

The Gunners are still holding out hope that Van Persie will do a Wayne Rooney-style U-turn and pledge his future to the club again.

It had been widely assumed Wenger would give the armband to Belgium star Thomas Vermaelen tomorrow.

But with main suitors Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus dragging their feet over meeting Arsenal's valuation for the striker, Wenger has kept faith in Van Persie.