Patrick Vieira: "I would like to play in the same team as Zidane" (09.11.2001)
MADRID,
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is aspiring to strengthen his team for the 2002-03 season. To realize this goal, he considers the possible transfers of some players to the Royal Club. One of them is the partner of Zinedine Zidane in the French national team, Arsenal FC midfielder Patrick Vieira. Real expressed their interest in Vieira in the preseason and now are again eager to see the defending World and European champion in their club.
In his interview to Spanish newspaper Marca, the French international said:
"Zidane is an extraordinary player, the best in the world. I would like to play in the same team as Zidane. For the moment though, I don`t think so."
Wenger signed the 25-year-old player in 1996
afterhe had endured a turbulent time with AC Milan. Vieira, who has scored 14 goals in 167 matches since his arrival at Highbury, holds the Gunners manager in high esteem.
"He brought me from Milan. He has turned around my confidence and I have progressed a lot with him. He saw in me the footballer that I am today."
Arsenal have high hopes this season, aiming at winning the Premiership and the Champions League.
The north London club have qualified for the second group stage of the Champions League, and are currently fifth in the Premier League standings with 19 points after 11 games.
"Ambitions at Arsenal are higher than ever - to win the Premiership and the Champions League. The main objective is to win," Vieira added.
