Vieira's full of praise for Wenger

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira rates Arsene Wenger as the most important manager in his career.

Wenger’s leadership of the club has been called into question in recent weeks, with five Barclays Premier League defeats leaving the side 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea already.

William Gallas’ outbursts have also highlighted unhappiness within the camp but Wenger has moved to reassert his authority by stripping his fellow Frenchman of the captaincy and appointing 21-year-old Cesc Fabregas instead.

Vieira was plucked from AC Milan’s reserves in Wenger’s first season at Arsenal and won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during nine years at the club.

And the Inter Milan midfielder, who left the Gunners for Juventus in 2005, does not under-estimate the influence his compatriot had on his game.

“The most important manager for me during my career has been Arsene Wenger, because I spent nine years with him and he made me develop as a player,” said Vieira.

“I would say he’s the one who made me improve the most as a football player.”

The 32-year-old also admitted Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was the other manager he rated highly.

“I really don’t know all the other managers but I think Alex Ferguson, for what he did for Manchester United, has to be in the top three,” he told Ford’s Feel Football podcast.

“He won with Manchester and [because of] where Manchester was and where Manchester is now I think he has to be in the top three.”