Wenger relishes midfield combat
Vieira was one of two Gunners sent off during the midweek Champions League draw against PSV Eindhoven, but the Frenchman remains Wenger’s talisman.
He retains the armband as Arsenal look to kick-start their Premiership title challenge, which has stuttered in recent weeks. Following the defeat at Manchester United on October 24 Arsenal have picked up just six points from four league matches and have surrendered their lead at the top of the table to Chelsea.
Wenger maintains his men are fully focused however, and he has every confidence in Vieira’s ability, as well as his temperament, as tomorrow’s trip to Anfield looms.
“Patrick missed pre-season, he worked very hard to come back and when he was at his best against Aston Villa, he got injured,” said the Arsenal manager.
“He wants to help and play for the team. He was a bit within himself for a couple of games, but now he is okay. I support him highly. He played the last few weeks with an ankle problem and I feel in these last two games he has been back to normal level.”
Liverpool skipper Gerrard has also just returned following two months out with a broken foot.
While the Reds’ midweek defeat to Monaco in the Champions League was probably not the dream comeback the Liverpool midfielder would have been hoping for, the opportunity to lock horns with Vieira is sure to be one he will relish.
Wenger reflected: “I rate Steven Gerrard highly. I think he is a great player as well, at the level of Patrick. Like Patrick he is one of the best midfielders in the world.”
Wenger added: “Liverpool play with a strong midfield, it is an area they concentrate on, so with the way we play, it certainly will have a big influence on the game.”
Gerrard, 24, recently signed a new deal with Liverpool following interest from Chelsea during the summer. And Wenger would not be surprised if the Stamford Bridge outfit were to come in for him again.
“Chelsea will, sooner or later, take who they want, so that might mean it is only a temporary decision, I don’t know,” he said.
The Arsenal manager however, maintained he was not concerned about the Blues trying to lure away any of his top men during the January transfer window. “It is not a worry. We don’t need any money,” said Wenger.
“Our players are committed to the club and we share something here which is special and we aspire to become stronger and bigger, and the players are part of that. I find it exciting and interesting to fight against a team which has a much bigger potential financially and then still to beat them.”
Wenger says Arsenal face a crucial game tomorrow and it is one they could have to go into without the services of striker Thierry Henry, who is rated as 70/30 by his manager to pass a late fitness test on a calf problem.
Robin van Persie and Jose Antonio Reyes are also carrying knee injuries and will all be put through their paces tomorrow to prove their fitness. The Arsenal manager, nevertheless, is in no doubt his squad is ‘back on track’ in their quest for further success.
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