Vieira acclaims Arsenal squad

Former Gunner hails Wenger's young squad

By James Dall   Last updated: 20th December 2007

Vieira acclaims Arsenal squad

Vieira: Gunners praise

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Internazionale midfielder Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal's current crop of players are playing better football than when he was at The Gunners.

Arsene Wenger's men remain top of the Premier League table after their 1-0 victory over Chelsea last Sunday.

They then proved their depth as a young side put on an impressive display against Blackburn on Tuesday evening to book their place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

And Vieira, who won three league titles and four FA Cups in his nine years with The Gunners, has hailed the talent of Wenger's squad.

"Arsene has done some great things and the players are responding to him at the moment," he said.

Trophies

"When I left, (Cesc) Fabregas had the chance to be selected. And he has since blossomed.

"Titi (Henry) has left and (Emmanuel) Adebayor has never scored so many goals. (Robin) Van Persie also feels he is like a leader now.

"In my time, we had a great team. We played well and were physically strong. But this current team plays better football than in our day.

"Whether that means they are going to win something is another story. But whatever happens, Arsenal are one of the two or three teams in Europe who play the best football."

International career

Meanwhile, Vieira has outlined his ambition to continue to represent France for many years to come, despite suffering a number of injuries this year.

"I am feeling better and better. I am doing everything to be back at my best [following a calf problem] in January," he told L'Equipe.

"I still feel young and I intend to stay in the French team for a very long time.

"I can't tell myself I will stop in two months time, after Euro 2008 or after the 2010 World Cup. I still have the desire to play for Les Bleus."