Boss Wenger mulling over Vieira return
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger admits he is still pondering over whether to go against his morals and bring back former captain Patrick Vieira.
Wenger has always been a staunch believer in never going back, but says he is sorely tempted by the prospect of making the French midfielder an exception to the rule.
Vieira left for Juventus in 2005, but the 33-year-old is unhappy at new club Inter Milan and keen on a return to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have failed to win a single major trophy since Vieira’s exit and Wenger, whose saw his side retain the Emirates Cup on home soil yesterday, admits he has a big decision to make. “I have two games to think about and after the weekend we have Monday off and I will now think about the whole squad,” the boss said after yesterday’s 3-0 victory over Rangers.
“Two weeks ago, I did not know if we would have Eduardo or not, or Tomas Rosicky. They both look to be completely back, so that makes the squad quite big. Patrick is a great player and I have not considered it yet to bring him back. It is a possibility that I have to think about. It is not sure he will decide to join us if I decide to try and make him come. There is a lot to think about.”
But while Wenger is contemplating the old, he’s also pretty impressed with the new after 17-year-old Jack Wilshere stole the show with a man-of-the-match display and two goals yesterday – sandwiching an Eduardo effort – to push a claim for a first-team call-up.
Wilshere is already being tipped for a future England call-up, but Wenger is calling for patience: “The only problem in England, knowing the impatience of English people, is that it will be difficult to keep the right pace in his progress,” he said. “Let’s not make stars in just two games. You have to respect the development of the players.”