Vieira reveals Arsenal manager’s job admission after Arteta appointment

Patrick Vieira has revealed that he was never contacted by Arsenal before the north Londoners appointed Mikel Arteta as their new boss.

Vieira, the former Gunners midfielder, was linked with the manager’s job after Unai Emery was axed at the end of last month.

It was understood that the fallen Premier League giants interviewed at least 10 candidates before opting for Arteta, who arrived on Friday after a successful spell as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City .

And Vieira, who is managing in France’s top-flight with Nice, has denied holding talks with Arsenal prior to Arteta’s appointment.

Asked if he had been contacted, Vieira said: “No. It’s flattering seeing your name everywhere but I am under contract with Nice.

“I have known since I arrived how lucky I am to be involved with this club’s project. I don’t have any intention or desire to go and look elsewhere.”

And, rather than focus on his Arsenal snub, Vieira wants to concentrate on the task ahead at Nice.

He added: “The objective is to play in the Champions League one day, but it will take time.”

Former Gunners midfielder Arteta officially took up his role as manager on Sunday, succeeding Emery with the club in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Patrick Vieira makes Arsenal manager's job admission after Mikel Arteta appointment https://t.co/e6kdP4UOyJ pic.twitter.com/U0sQxjSDah

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 23, 2019

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Arteta was in the directors’ box for Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton on Saturday, which laid bare the deficiencies in the current Arsenal side.

The Spaniard will take charge of the Gunners for the first time when they travel to Bournemouth on Boxing Day before a mouthwatering London derby with Chelsea takes place at the Emirates.