Premier League outfit Arsenal have revealed that they made a £17.8m profit for the six months to the end of November.

The figure was primarily driven by the sale of players, including the reported £25m that they received from Manchester United for the services of Dutch international Robin van Persie.

"Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the club strength and independence," chairman Peter Hill-Wood told the club's official website.

"Our desire is to make everyone connected with Arsenal proud of the club. We know that comes through winning trophies but also through the way we do things and that will remain our constant guide."

In total, the Gunners received £42.5m from other clubs for their players. However, they also paid out £40.9m in recruiting fresh faces such as Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski.