Wenger: We can win trophies without Vieira

Manager Arsène Wenger has said that the club's four year trophy drought is not linked to former captain Patrick Vieira's departure from the club.

Vieira famously secured the club's most recent trophy in 2005, when he led the team to FA Cup victory over Manchester United.

The Frenchman subsequently left for Italy and many have suggested that the absence of a pivotal figure head such as Vieira has been the main reason for the team coming so close yet so far towards securing their next trophy.

It is an assertion that Wenger disagrees with, saying: "Patrick was an amazing, fantastic player. But I believe we were very close to winning [silverware] since [he left].

"But of course, if you don't win people will say 'you did not win'. But people forget that in 2006 we played a Champions League final with 10 men and nearly won it.

"He [Vieira] is perfect for every [style of] football. But he will not play forever and I believe we have created a young team and to win with a young team is very difficult.

"We are at a stage where people want us to win trophies, and we know that."

There were rumours this summer that Vieira was close to making a sensational return to the North London club but regardless of whether he was close to signing or not, the transfer did not happen.

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