Arsene asks fans to trust him as Juve sign Vieira

Bill Pierce

Wenger and vice-chairman David Dein will stand accused of selling the Gunners' best chance of challenging Chelsea for next season's Premiership and the keys to European glory in exchange for the 20million they have accepted from Juventus.

The World Cup and Euro 2000 winner, who has agreed a five-year deal with the Italian champions, is finally on his way after nine seasons at Highbury. He will undergo a medical in Turin and is expected to be presented as a Juventus player this afternoon.

Having at least twice turned his back on mouth-watering offers to join other clubs, Vieira has delighted Arsenal fans with his loyalty and genuine commitment to the club.

They had grown used to treating transfer rumours around him as all talk. But now he has gone, Arsenal will even have to collect the money for him in instalments.

Reports from Italy suggest Juve will pay only E10 million immediately with the rest due in E 5million packages over the next two years.

At 29, Wenger has clearly decided that Vieira's best days are behind him.

Even so, Wenger begged for understanding from the fans.

"I share the sadness with our supporters that Patrick has left us," he said.

"But on the other hand I would say to them trust us and support us.

"We will be strong next season and we need you behind us like you have always been. We will not disappoint you." He is now being tipped to make moves for Newcastle's England international Jermaine Jenas or Lyon's Mahamadou Diarra even though he has already secured the services of Belarus midfielder Aleksander Hleb for E 10million.

Sevilla's Brazilian striker Julio Baptista is still on his wish-list despite the player emphasising how important it is for him to remain in Spain if he does switch clubs.

Wenger said: "Patrick was a great player for us, one of the greatest in the club's history, and I feel I had a special relationship with him because I made him come here. I think his impact, not only at Arsenal but in English football overall was just tremendous.

Vieira, who will be reunited with his former Milan coach Fabio Capello in Turin, said: "When you spend nine years at the club, like I did, it is a difficult decision to leave.

"But in the end you have to make a choice for your future. It was a very difficult decision, but I am happy with it.

"I'd like to thank the Arsenal fans. They have been fabulous. Even recently in the street they were saying if you are going, then thanks for the last nine years. That is really touching and it makes me feel that I gave my best for the club."