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Arsene Wenger is expected to reinforce his midfield by signing Saint Etienne's Blaise Matuidi for £7million rather than bring former captain Patrick Vieira back to Arsenal.
Vieira has been heavily linked with the Gunners as the 33-year-old searches for firstteam football ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.
While Wenger has not ruled out the possibility of the Inter Milan midfielder returning to the club, it is understood he would prefer a younger player whose best years are ahead of him.
The Arsenal manager claimed yesterday he is prepared to start the season without adding to his squad but it is thought he is likely to bring in at least one high-profile signing before the transfer window closes next month.
Both St Etienne sporting director Damien Comolli and Matuidi himself have admitted his time at the Ligue One club may be coming to an end but Wenger is unlikely to make a formal offer until after this weekend's Emirates Cup.
Matuidi is a midfielder in the Vieira mould, has a good footballing brain, and at just 22 years of age has time to reach his potential.
Although Vieira has enjoyed his best preseason for years, the Frenchman's fouryear spell in Italy has been plagued by injury.
He has frequently been seen at Emirates Stadium and holds a strong affinity with the club but it would require a significant leap of faith from Wenger to re-sign a player he thought no longer capable of coping with Premier League football in 2005.
Reader views (13)
Either bring him back now or let him, and more importantly us, know of his decision quickly. I dont want another manager for the club, and respect our history since Wenger arrived but recently, the way we come over in the transfer market is embarrasing. Liverpool lose Alonso so the following day sign a replacement. Italian international, young, a bit of an injury history I know but you cant help but be impressed with the swiftness of the move. I know Wenger likes to keep things close to his chest but surely he could atleast be honest with us. Dont tell us after a season where ending 4th was considered a success, and a pre season where we have lost two established internationals, that we are strong enough to mount a challenge. We arent stupid, we know thats complete nonsense and so does he. Bring in Hangerlaand, Matuidi (why didnt we go for Cana)and if he thinks we need another striker, then yes, go for Chamakh as he seems desperate to sign. As for PV, in my humble opinion, he was a legend and that legend should stay in the past. Coming back would only leave him wide open to being compared to the Vieira of old and that isnt fair on anyone. God blessya Paddy.
- Rim, Chatteris, England, 06/08/2009 22:40
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Patrick Vieira signing could be the deal that brings siverware this season. Of course he is not going to be the player he was in midfield, but he can play at the back and his presence will be brilliant for the likes of Wilshire & Ramsey. Remember how brilliant Frank McLintock was, when having been an attacking midfielder like Patrick, he switched to the back four and led the team to the 1971 double. The other plus is Patrick is good in the air, and we are so vunerable from high balls in the area. Finally, just having him back would be a tremendous lift to the team. There are plenty of youngsters who can run around all day, so Patrick will not need to do this.
- Tommy Mines, Hertford, UK, 03/08/2009 18:04
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I copy that Joe, truly believe this would be one of our best seasons. who wants a fiat when you can have a ferrari. Viera is our hero but his best days are behind. our priority for now should be a DM(Matuidi should do)and maybe a utility at the back. chamakh or huntelaar wouldn't be bad but we don't really need them. ManU didn't actually have a killer striker and they did excellently with Ronaldo which I think we have in an Arshavin. if we really clamour for a striker then bendtner should go on loan and we can get huntelaar. Lets pray for fewer injuries and we should be fine.
In Arsene We Trust.
- David, Nigeria, 03/08/2009 10:26
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Wenger seems to be at the wind-up with Spurs over one of his has-beens, and upsetting his own mob too - but Harry has cottoned-on and is playing it for laughs. Yeah, this is real pre-season baloney and going nowhere.
- Ted, London, 01/08/2009 10:26
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I truly believe Proffessor Wenger knows what he need. The way he does his plans is above any manager in England. But he should sale Silvestre and sign the good defender from Fulham; Hangeland:
Am gooner by blood
- Ben Orango, Nairobi, Kenya, 31/07/2009 22:38
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Lets all put pressure on Wenger so that he signs at least 2 players; a defender and and a midfielder otherwise he will think that he has enough players. Remember every year we have players who get injured and cost us trophies. Thx lets have hope in wenger and the players.
- Martin Nyeko, Kitgum, Uganda, 31/07/2009 21:51
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Arsenal needs the two player. One for long term and the other for the short term. Matuidi will need one year or so to settle into the premier league and can learn from PV.
Please someone should tell him that the attack and central defence needs urgent attention.
- Kanayo, Lagos, Nigeria, 31/07/2009 15:47
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Patrick is clearly past his best so why bring him back when a much younger, stronger, faster individual would be more sensible?
Arsene knows what is best for the club so leave it to him.
- Gooner In Spain, Pego, Spain, 31/07/2009 12:14
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Can our legend PV play in the place left by Toure??
And buy Matuidi to be closely trained by PV. Quite a good dream, isn't it 
- Darren Lim, SINGAPORE, 31/07/2009 12:08
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Tell me who is going to score the goals needed to win us anything?. The players there currently have clearly failed if their abysmal attempts last year are anything to go by. Its alright scoring against Mboro, Hull, and West Brom but when we really need someone to stand up and show their class- two games against Utd spring to mind- noone was good enough. Without a class striker we will fail again.
- Spider, Essex uk, 31/07/2009 12:02
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I cannot think of a single player that Arsene Wenger has ever re-signed. I can recall Vierra being truly ruined by Fab & Flamini a couple of saesons ago, whilst at Juventus. I think Wenger is possibly on the lookout for a strong defensive midfield player, a tall commanding centre half & an experienced goal scoring forward. He certainly has the funds available, but always plays the clever game of pretending Arsenal are struggling financially, when in effect they have the smallest debt of the top four clubs by miles, which was created to fund the new stadium & indeed easily funded by additional matchday revenue etc. Whereas, the other top four clubs have incurred enormous debt, either in purchasing the club or paying inflated transfer fees & wages. Keith Edelman was removed from his position shortly after stating that if Wenger needed £100 million, it was available to him. It appears to me that Wenger takes great joy in locating players such as Vierra for £3.5 million & selling him for approximately £14 million, when he was past his best. I recall that when he first arrived at Arsenal upon being asked if he would sign an ageing George Weah, he stated I want to find Weah when he is 19 not 34.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 31/07/2009 11:50
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I can not see the Vieira signing progressing - for one Wenger doesn't have a sentemental side and like this article comments, Vieira was sold with the knowledge that his best years were behind him. The benefit of having someone like Vieira in the squad would be to develop the youngsters and have someone in the team that knows what it is like to win something.
Arsenal need two players - Wenger knows that and I have complete trust in him. The two players we are crying out for is a commanding centre back and a ball winning central midfielder. In my mind we do not necessarily need a striker as Eduardo, Arshavin, Walcott and Vela can play in this position.
Arsenal Fans - Wenger very rarely gets things wrong and players are usually sold when either they have seen their better days or they wish to leave for a new challenge.
My worry is that if we do not sign players in these key areas, we could struggle should any injuries happen during the campaign.
I acknowledge Wenger's comments about not rushing into spend - but Arsenal fans trust him - when Overmars and Petit left, Wenger bought Pires, Lauren and Wiltord.
One thing that I can't stand at the moment which I've never experienced as an Arsenal fan is the amount of criticism and negative comments from the stands - our players are only human and will be affected if the home fans are not behind them. You will not see Liverpool, Man u or Chelsea destroy their players confidence in a game. We have all got to be behind Arsenal
- Joe, london, 31/07/2009 10:45
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If the boss thinks Matuidi is the right player, he will sign him. It will be great to see PV back at the Emirates-a true Arsenal legend. I can't wait to see the start of the campaign. On a sad note though, I thought Toure was brilliant yesterday during the press conference with ManCity. He remained, humble, composed, dignified, avoided beign personal when asked about his relationship with Gallas and also very grateful to Arsenal (his former colleagues, fans and the manager)for the opportunity he had to play for Arsenal. I wish him all the best in his new home and hopefully one day, he will become an ambassador for the Gunners. I am sure he will be delighted to play that role. He is truly a great man and role model!
- Jayt, Watford, UK, 31/07/2009 10:40
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