Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is confident key midfielder Patrick Vieira will stay at Highbury, British newspapers reported today.
Wenger, fresh from signing Sol Campbell, dismissed remarks attributed to Vieira in recent weeks indicating the French international wanted to leave the Premiership club for a more successful side.
"I want to be very clear," Wenger was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror,"for me, Patrick will play for Arsenal next year and fight like he always has done for the club.
"Of course, Sol asked about Vieira. He wants him to stay and play for Arsenal - and I gave him the same clear message.
"Patrick has been five years at the club. During those five years he has shown tremendous commitment and loyalty," Wenger said.
"When I put these acts together with a few lines in the newspapers that do not come from him, that just makes me say 'I know the player well enough to know he didn't say one word of that, not one direct statement.'"
Wenger said: "He confirmed that to me on the phone."