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Who could replace Vieira?
10:58am 14th July 2005
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Patrick Vieira's boots will not be easy to fill at Highbury
Patrick Vieira's likely departure for Juventus raises the question of who Arsene Wenger may try to recruit with the proceeds raised from selling Arsenal's all-action France midfielder.
The Italian champions claimed this morning that a deal for the 29-year-old is imminent.
Here we look at four potential midfield targets for the Gunners.
MAHAMADOU DIARRA
Chelsea target Michael Essien and Brazilian maestro Juninho may attract most of the attention but the player who knits Lyon's midfield together is the 24-year-old Mali international.
Diarra can rove in front of the back four, breaking up attacks like Claude Makelele, but has an excellent range of passing to go with it. He scores goals too and it is still unclear as to whether he has signed an extended, improved contract with his current club.
SAMIR NASRI
The 18-year-old playmaker's Marseille upbringing and north African roots have led to comparisons to a young Zinedine Zidane, and Wenger may wish to stay ahead of the game and bring another teenage talent to Highbury.
Nasri would not be a straight replacement for Vieira, but Wenger may feel he can reshuffle his existing middle four to cover for Vieira's destructive abilities while splashing out on Nasri's creative talents.
Counting against the bid is the still simmering feud over last season's signing of Mathieu Flamini from OM and the fact that Nasri is in contract until 2007 and would reportedly cost around £7million.
MODESTE M'BAMI
The 22-year-old Paris St Germain star was reportedly on Chelsea's shopping list towards the end of last year before an injury sidelined the tough Cameroon midfielder.
His future in the French capital has yet to be resolved, and could provide the combination of style and steel Wenger is looking for in a 'new Vieira', though at just 5ft 8in he lacks the former skipper's physical presence. M'Bami was close to joining Wolves in July 2003 before joining PSG.
DAVID PIZARRO
The 25-year-old Chilean playmaker is almost certain to leave Udinese despite leading the northern Italian side's surprise qualification for the Champions League.
Inter Milan are in pole position and believed to be Pizarro's preferred destination but Arsenal may also be able to make a tempting offer for the £8million-rated star with the Vieira cash.
