Vieira staying ‘at home’

Bill Pierce

And it was a verdict that, despite it’s unarguable logic, surprised even Gunners boss Arsene Wenger who admitted: “It is a huge relief - and a delight. Now we can get on with the season.”

Pundits who were certain the lure of mighty Real would finally capture the dynamic midfield star, who has been Arsenal’s heartbeat for nearly eight years, were left with much egg on face - and suggested it must have been simply money that made the difference.

In Spain it was claimed that Real, who are now also recruiting Liverpool’s Michael Owen, put an end to the long-running Vieira chase after Arsenal jacked up the French star’s price to more than £28m - and when the player himself, reported to earn around £70,000 a week at Highbury, baulked at the prospect of getting less in Madrid.

But Wenger insisted: “There was no problem over money between Arsenal and Real Madrid and no problem over money between Real and Patrick. It was one of the few occasions in our sport that money has played no part in a big story like this.

“It was just a matter of what he wanted to do and we opened the door for him to make a free choice. It was a dangerous thing to do, I know, but it might have been even more dangerous to stop him and keep him if he was really committed to going.

“And I must say I had begun to have genuine fears that he would go. I had tried to stay positive with my own statements, saying I believed he would stay. But in the last few days he had looked determined and resolute - it had looked like we might lose him.

“So when he came to my house last night and told me he had decided to stay, it was a big relief. I had told him all along that he would maybe find it easier here to achieve new things than with Real but I can still understand how difficult it was for him to resist a new challenge like this.

“But I am certain he has decided to do so because he knows he has helped create something special at Arsenal and that there is more to come. He is fully committed to us and that is what I had to find out.

“Real Madrid are a great club and historically much bigger than us but, quite frankly, at the moment I don’t see a big difference.”

At 28, Vieira - who revealed that close pal Thierry Henry was the first person he told about his decision to stay - knows Real are unlikely to ever come in for him again. He has already turned them down twice before this latest episode but insists he has no regrets about his decision to stay loyal to Arsenal and see out a contract which still has three years to run.

He said: “I know some people will say there were other reasons but I’ve come to this decision with my heart.

“It has taken a long time and I have to thank my manager and my chairman for showing so much patience and allowing me to take the time to come to it.

“I could not come out and express myself before because Real are one of the biggest clubs in the world and you don’t take it lightly when you find out they are interested in you.

“But I realised how much love I have for Arsenal. I am convinced it is unbreakable.

“Yes, it is easy for me to say that. What I have to do is prove it on the pitch to the fans and I am determined to do that.

“I have a responsibility as the captain of the club to lead things in the right direction and I take that very seriously. I think people know how much I love the club.

“But it was getting very close with Real Madrid. There were only a few small things to be sorted out and I have to admit I was thinking about myself.

“But the manager wanted a decision by the start of the season and in the end I realised I could not leave Arsenal.

“I have spoken to Real and told them why I have made this decision.”

Wenger said: “I don’t know if it would have affected the mentality of other players if Patrick had left but now the vibes are all positive at the club.

“It has been a disruptive build-up to the season and Patrick will have to see how people react to his decision now. The players, though, are very happy about it, I’m sure.

“It is certainly a perfect boost for us at this time and will lift us to do even better than last season.

“We would have been short of midfielders if he had gone because we have two Brazilians in Edu and Gilberto who will be wanted for long spells during our season for World Cup qualification - and without Patrick that would have been quite frightening.

“It has been a great day for us but now, as always, we must show our quality on the pitch and Everton away will not be an easy start despite the fact they have suffered their own disruptions this summer.

Wenger hopes Vieira will be fit after a thigh injury to make his Arsenal return in two weeks against either Blackburn at home or Norwich away.