Vieira deal not close - Wenger

The Gunners had looked ready to move for their ex-midfield enforcer, who left for Juventus in 2005, before the new Barclays Premier League season kicks off at Everton next weekend. However, Wenger - who also feels Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh has been overpriced by Bordeaux - revealed an imminent announcement on Vieira was not in the pipeline.

"Not at the moment, no," said Wenger, when asked if they were close to completing a deal from Vieira. "We can still make do with one or two players more. One could be in the defensive areas, and one in the attacking areas."

The 33-year-old French international is reportedly surplus to requirements at Inter Milan, and a return to the club with which he enjoyed nine glorious years at Highbury seemed on the cards.

But Wenger, speaking at Arsenal's charity launch at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, added: "We make a few enquires for players, but we are nowhere near to signing anybody at the moment.

"Usually the transfer market speeds up from August 26 up to midnight on 31st - especially in the last two hours."

With both striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure having joined big-spending Manchester City, Wenger certainly has the funds available should he wish to spend.

Meanwhile, Czech winger Tomas Rosicky suffered a slight setback to his recovery, picking up a hamstring injury in training following a return to action after some 18 months on the sidelines.

"Six weeks ago I did not know how strong Eduardo would come back, or how strong Rosicky would come back, despite the setback he has had," said the Arsenal manager, whose side complete their pre-season campaign at Valencia on Saturday.

"I believe they will play an important part in our season. Eduardo, after the first surgery, did not look perfect, but after the second surgery he looks to have come back to a normal level, and he is a massive player."