Injured Vieira unlikely to start
Patrick Vieira is unlikely to be seen in action for at least two weeks despite turning down Real Madrid to stay at Arsenal.
The Gunners captain is still struggling with a thigh injury sustained at Euro 2004 but France team-mates Thierry Henry (Achilles) and Robert Pires (calf) are in the Gunners squad for Sunday’s Premiership opener at Everton.