Wenger positive over Pires

Arsene Wenger is quietly confident that Robert Pires will not follow Patrick Vieira out of Arsenal this summer.

The 31-year-old French winger has been at Highbury for five years but has been suggested as a possible target of Juventus, who signed Vieira last week, plus Real Madrid and Galatasaray.

Pires has just one year left on his contract and is seeking an extension, on terms which Arsenal have so far refused to meet.

But manager Wenger is optimistic that Pires will begin the season as an Arsenal player, knowing that his loss would leave the club needing to remodel their midfield.

Of the present situation, Wenger said: “At the moment it is quite stable. We have no interest in him from anybody and we want him to stay.

“I can understand that he wants an improved contract, but it has nothing to do with Patrick leaving. Robert has always been very important to us but he does not play in the same position as Patrick – although he can.

“My situation is very clear: I want him to stay. But I cannot stop there being interest from other clubs or speculation.”

The former Marseille winger has won two Premiership titles with Arsenal.

Meanwhile, his French international colleague Olivier Dacourt has emerged as a possible target as Arsenal consider whether to make a like-for-like signing following Vieira’s exit.

Wenger has hinted that there is already sufficient central midfield talent at Highbury, and his attention has been diverted by an attempt to sign Sevilla striker Julio Baptista.

But Dacourt, 30, has been linked to Arsenal in French and Italian media reports, and the player’s agent, Bruno Satin, believes speculation concerning the former Leeds and Everton hardman makes sense.

“Olivier would fit the right profile of what Mr Wenger is looking for,” Satin told The Sun.

“He has Premiership experience, he would not cost a lot of money, and he would be available immediately.”