Wenger not desperate for former captain's return

• limpper

  31 Jul 09, 14:15

  Arsenal boss Wenger locked in Vieira talks

  Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is seriously considering a move to bring Patrick Vieira back to the club.

  The Daily Mail says the lack of a natural leader has encouraged the Arsenal manager to explore the possibility of signing his former skipper from Inter Milan on a free transfer.

  Wenger and Vieira have remained close since he was sold to Juventus for £13.7m in 2005 and the midfielder has been a regular visitor to the Emirates. Contact between the pair has intensified over the past fortnight, which may explain why a potential move to Arsenal rivals Tottenham looks to have hit the buffers.

  Vieira is desperate to bow out on a high with France in next summer's World Cup and would be ready to accept a one-year deal on a pay-as-you-play basis. He accepts he would not play every week but the chance to show he still has what it takes does appeal.

• chrisbenoit

  31 Jul 09, 14:32

  Wow. Wenger is desperate..

• limpper

  1 Aug 09, 11:20

  Arsenal boss Wenger cannot rule out Vieira return

  Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refuses to rule out bringing Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira back to the club.

  "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 and win our games in pre-season."

• I-like-flings(m)

  1 Aug 09, 11:22

  wah.. then Roy keane must go back Man utd too leh.. if not no fun leh...

• ASKL!

  1 Aug 09, 16:55

  Haha, hoping for this :)

• limpper

  1 Aug 09, 19:22

  Arsenal boss Wenger not desperate for Vieira return

  Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger isn't desperate about bringing Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira back to the club.

  The Daily Star says it seems Wenger’s initial reaction to the prospect Vieira’s return has not been positive.

  Wenger has said in the past he is not a fan of re-signing players. But it is believed Vieira, 33, wants a Gunners return.

  But despite being concerned about a lack of height in his team, it appears Wenger is not keen on taking his former skipper from Inter Milan.