Arsenal haven’t made any contact with Patrick Vieira about taking over from Arsene Wenger, despite the near constant links between the former Gunner and the job.

Sky Sports write that their sources understand Arsenal haven’t approached their former captain in the search for a new manager.

The field to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal is slowly narrowing. The current favorites according to the majority of betting sites on SportsBettingDime.com, are former Liverpool assistant Zeljko Buvac (4/5) and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri (6/1). Buvac was a longshot days ago but his leave from Liverpool has started the rumour mill churning, and some outlets are already reporting that he’s taken the Gunners job even though he probably hasn’t.
If not Buvac or Allegri, Brendan Rodgers (12/1), Eddie Howe (14/1), and Luis Enrique (15/1) round out the most likely candidates.
The English media, however, seem to love the Vieira-to-Arsenal story in general, based on the last few weeks. The Daily Mail were just one of many who wrote that the 41-year-old was ‘a serious contender’ to return to the club as manager.

Clearly those who are actually making the decision don’t share that view.

Vieira himself is still managing MLS side New York City FC at the moment. His team are top of the table in the early part of the new season, although only just.

The Frenchman also has some experience of management in England, having taken charge of the Manchester City Reserves for a couple of years after his retirement from playing.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Of course, the main reason why a fair number of Arsenal fans get excited by links to Vieira is his success on the pitch with the club. As captain of the side, the former midfielder led the team through the invincible season. He won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and three Community Shields in London.

If he could bring anything like that kind of success back as a manager, he’d be a big hit. For now it doesn’t look like Arsenal are willing to take that chance.

Click ‘next’ for the rest of the managers linked to the Arsenal job

1Maurizio Sarri

Back