Patrick Vieira has joined Arsenal's pre-season training at Colney despite summer reports that he had demanded a move from Highbury.
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Vieira: In training
(Alexlivesey/Allsport) |
French international Vieira had been quoted as criticising some of manager Arsene Wenger's summer signings and insisting that he needed a new challenge.
The player, who joined the club from AC Milan in a £3.5million 1996 deal, has been linked with moves to Real Madrid - whose world record signing Zinedine Zidane has recommended him to club bosses - Juventus and Liverpool.
He was quoted as saying: 'I need to leave because I want to win more trophies and I just
cannot see that happening at Arsenal.
'Comparing Arsenal to the big clubs in Europe this season is going to be quite ridiculous.'
But Arsenal have insisted that Vieira will not leave the club, and Wenger remains confident that he can persuade him to stay.
The player was frustrated as the Gunners finished trophyless again last season, losing in the FA Cup final and finishing a distant second to Manchester United in the Premiership.
But he later said: 'I am a professional and would not let you or the club down. I will report for training.'
Arsenal will ask shareholders to approve plans to form a new company to oversee their proposed 60,000-capacity stadium.
The holding company, called Arsenal Holdings plc, would oversee the Gunners' plans to relocate to the state of the art 60,000-seat stadium just a short distance from their current Highbury home.
But a Gunners spokesman denied that the proposed restructuring is designed to pave the way for the club to be floated on the stock market later this year.
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