Wenger refuses to rule out Vieira move

ARSENE WENGER would not expect Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira to return to play in England for any other club.

The 33-year-old former Gunners captain is reported to be ready to make a shock comeback to the team he left in 2005.

Since Vieira’s departure, in a £13.7million (€16m) deal to Juventus before the midfielder then joined Inter Milan, Wenger’s young Gunners have failed to bring silverware to the Emirates Stadium.

With both striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure having joined big-spending Manchester City, Wenger certainly has the funds available to move for his old enforcer, most likely on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Although arch-rivals Tottenham, newly-promoted Birmingham and French side Paris St Germain have made public their interest in Vieira, Wenger remained coy about his plans when quizzed ahead of this weekend’s Emirates Cup tournament, which also features Scottish champions Rangers.

However, tellingly the Arsenal boss refused to rule out a reunion with his one-time midfield general, who spent nine glorious years at Highbury.

“There is a football decision and there is a psychological impact on a player of that stature that could come in,” said Wenger.

“But at the moment we need to look at the level of experience in your squad to make this kind of decision.

“We are nowhere near to making a decision like that, but it is a possibility.

“We do not rule it out and we do not say we will do it – and that is my decision at the moment.”

Wenger continued: “I speak to Patrick, I speak to many players who have been here because I keep good connections with them.

“He has gone through a difficult period as well in the last season. I am aware that he wants to come here.

“I think Patrick is a legend here and he would always like to come back to this club. That would be his first choice.

“With emotion you always like the club you spent time.

“But as a professional as well, you always give 100% for whichever club you sign for.”

However, Wenger insisted: “Our focus should not be who can help us from outside, but who can help us from inside.

“We need a strong start and it is important that we do not dream too much.”

Wenger feels the Gunners can mount a serious title challenge next season.

“Manchester United won one game against top-four teams and that means they have done less well than us against top-10 teams,’’ he said.

“They made the difference at home, winning 16 games.

“We lost the championship last year in the first 14 games, when we lost five and after that we just lost one.

“I am convinced the difference of potential is not as big as the points indicated.”