Vieira will win more medals with Arsenal, says Wenger

ARSENE WENGER warned Patrick Vieira that he is more likely to win medals with Arsenal than Real Madrid as he made a last-ditch plea for his captain to stay at Highbury.

Wenger remains adamant that Vieira will be staying with the Premiership champions despite the moves being made by Real to lure him to La Liga.

The two clubs seem to be locked in a battle of wills over any price-tag, while Vieira himself has yet to agree personal terms at the Bernabeu, thereby fuelling Wenger's confidence.

The French midfielder was at Highbury yesterday, although he will still be absent from the Community Shield this weekend due to a thigh injury, which could take a further two weeks to clear up.

Real nevertheless have a further three weeks to sign Vieira before the transfer window closes, and have the financial ability to increase their initial offer.

No wonder Wenger was trying to fight Arsenal's corner yesterday, while stressing that the board did not need to sell one of their biggest assets.

When asked if the Gunners have as much chance of winning trophies as nine-time European champions Real, he insisted: "Yes, if not more so.

"History may not show that, but recent history is in Arsenal's favour.

"In the past three years, we have won two championships and two FA Cups. Last season, Real Madrid finished fourth in the league.

"They waited for 32 years to win the European Cup, between 1966 and 1998, and they might have to wait another 30 years to win it again. Nobody knows.

"It's not because you add names to names that you can just appear on the pitch and win. There is something more about it."

No-one could blame Wenger for at least trying to talk up Vieira's chances of success at Highbury, although they have failed to make it past the Champions League quarter-finals.

Moving tack, Wenger then turned to the special team bond, especially along with his compatriots Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, which Wenger is hoping can still persuade Vieira to stay put.

Vieira has been at the club for eight years and the Arsenal boss is hoping his captain will complete the task of turning the Gunners into the finished European article.

"He has been part of something special at this club - not only in winning titles and FA Cups, but in the way that we play. He is a big part of the values at this club," he argued.

"He has helped build a big part of the history of this team and I want him to go to the end of what he can create. To build a big club takes 10 years and I want him to finish what he has started."

Vieira has nevertheless failed to issue any reassurance to the Arsenal fans, adding substance to reports that he is tempted by a fresh challenge in Spain.

Wenger will not reveal the content of recent talks with his captain, but has maintained his positive stance on whether he can be persuaded to stay.

"Some people said he should have gone four weeks ago, but he is still here and I think he will be next week, the week after and the week after that. That's the end of the transfer window," he said.

"I think he will stay. I have a close relationship with Patrick and I don't come out with what we talk about, but that's my personal opinion.

"Patrick has a contract here until 2007. I have other players with not as long on their contracts who are much more of a worry for me than he is."

While that could indicate a measure of concern over Sol Campbell's contract, retaining Vieira is the immediate goal for Wenger.

"The player is not unhappy here. He has shown that for eight years. History shows that players are not always happier somewhere else," he added.