Vieira issues warning to Arsenal

Patrick Vieira has told Arsenal he wants a quick resolution to his contract talks, warning that if he is not satisfied he may walk out on a free transfer next summer.

The Gunners have not confirmed the length of Vieira‘s present deal but, according to French sports daily L‘Equipe, it will expire in 2004.

That means he could, under his current agreement, leave the club for nothing next season under the Bosman ruling.

Speaking to L’Equipe from St Raphael in the south of France, the French international midfielder said: “The discussions are well on course and I am optimistic.”

He added: “I want to stay at Arsenal but everything must be resolved before the start of the Championship.

“Either I prolong (my contract) or I go to the end of my contract.”

Vieira recently reacted angrily when the Arsenal website reported a tabloid claim that he had signed a three-year contract with the Highbury outfit.

Vieira had previously expressed concern about Arsenal’s perceived lack of clout in the transfer market but he was more measured in his remarks today.

“You can see that the transfer market is totally flat,” he said.

“I know the club are working on certain dossiers. It will work itself out.”

Senegal-born Vieira, a member of France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning squads, is still resting the injury that kept him out of France‘s Confederations Cup campaign but admitted he was impressed by the form of Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry for France.

“I was particularly impressed by Titi (Henry),” he said.

Henry is now considered second only to Zinedine Zidane in terms of popularity in France and received the sort of pop-star reception from French fans during the Confederations Cup usually reserved for the likes of David Beckham.

“I am not surprised by his performances, because he can no longer surprise me, but just by how critical he has come to be for the (French) team.

“What’s more, his reception from the fans was exceptional.”

There was better news for Arsenal in that Vieira now believes he will be ready for the start of next season after the injury to the right knee sustained in an innocuous clash with Roy Keane of Manchester United in the closing stages of last season.

He aggravated it at a concert in Paris in June and then needed surgery.

Vieira said: “Today I feel fine. I feel no pain in my knee and I can’t wait to get back playing. I will be back on August 14 for the start of the Championship.”