Vieira wants Pires to stay at Highbury

PATRICK Vieira has admitted he fears Arsenal could lose FA Cup final hero Robert Pires this summer. Pires, who is reportedly wanted by Valencia, has two years left on his current contract and is stalling on a new deal with the Gunners.

Arsenal skipper Vieira believes his French international team-mate could quit Highbury and feels that keeping Pires is more important than any signings boss Arsene Wenger might make this summer.

He admitted yesterday: "My biggest fear is not who we will sign this summer, but who we will lose.