Gunners boost as Vieira and Pires extend contracts

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger yesterday made his two most important signings of the summer as he attempted to upstage bitter rival Alex Ferguson.

On a day when Manchester United unveiled new arrivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Kleberson for a combined £18 million, Arsenal finally confirmed skipper Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires have put pen to paper on new long-term contracts.

As Wenger has been unable to match the spending power of either Ferguson or Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri this close season due to Arsenal’s hands being tied by their plans to move to a new stadium, the deals for Vieira and Pires represent a major coup.

The announcement, coming within hours of United’s double swoop and with the start of the new season just four days away, is also perfectly timed.

After all the speculation regarding influential captain Vieira, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, as well as Real Madrid and Juventus, the 27-year-old is to now remain at Highbury until 2007.

It is believed Arsenal have broken their fairly strict wage structure to keep Vieira at the club, with the France international midfielder apparently due to be taking home around £70,000 per week.

Compatriot Pires has penned a deal which takes him up until the summer of 2006, with both players seemingly following the lead taken by striker Thierry Henry earlier this summer.

After casting aside the spectre of Vieira’s potential departure which has loomed over the club for months, Wenger is now free to concentrate on the season at hand.

Although certain Vieira would always remain a Gunner, his relief was evident as he said: “As I have said before, I never had any doubts that both Patrick and Robert would sign new contracts with the club.

“However, I’m so delighted that we have finally confirmed their signings. They are both very important players who will be instrumental in achieving our goal of winning more trophies this season and in years to come.”