No joy for Vieira as ref refuses to rescind red card decision

PATRICK VIEIRA has had to accept that the eighth sending off in his Arsenal career in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea will not be overturned by referee Andy D’Urso.

But the pain will not be too severe for the French international midfield star or his Arsenal boss.

Arsene Wenger sanctioned the issue of a club statement expressing their "frustration and disappointment" of D'Urso's determination to stick to his guns and reiterated Wenger's view that the official made a mistake.

But the dismissal for two yellow cards means that Vieira will serve only a one-match ban, on Saturday September 21 at home to Bolton a match that comes in between the Gunners' opening two Champions League fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven.

Vieira is clear to play in both European clashes and it was likely that Wenger might have rested him for the Bolton match.

The new Arsenal captain has started all five of their games this season but only just passed a fitness test on a calf strain ahead of the visit to Chelsea.

He is wanted by France for their friendly international against Cyprus on Saturday.

Wenger will not want to risk his star performer repeating last season, when he played 70 matches in all and looked a shadow of his true self in the World Cup finals as the holders made an inglorious early exit.

An Arsenal statement read: "We fully believe that Patrick Vieira's dismissal against Chelsea was harsh and are disappointed to learn that Andy D'Urso will not be reconsidering his decision.

"Having reviewed both 'yellow card offences' we are convinced that Patrick Vieira should have remained on the field of play.

"We are mindful that referees have a difficult job making decisions in a split second but in this instance the referee made a mistake and it is frustrating that the decision will not be reversed."

Meanwhile Man Utd's Phil Neville has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal and Chelsea for failing to give young English players a chance.

The 25-year-old full-back made his United debut eight years ago and has now racked up over 150 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit despite being unable to win a regular place in the side.

"Chelsea have got a lot of good young English players on their books but they are not given a chance," Neville told MUTV. "Arsenal won the Youth Cup twice in the last three years but you don't see many of their young players coming through either.

"The foreign managers probably don't have the knowledge of the English players and go for the safe option of using foreigners.

"At Manchester United, the situation is different. If you are good enough you will play. We have lads such as Michael Stewart and John O'Shea coming through who are going to be great players for this club."