I have not yet made up my mind and I have to do that in the next few weeks. I have many options among the experienced players but we have to stick together and work as a unit and compensate for the departure of Patrick."Wenger promised: "The fee for him will not be used for the stadium, it will be used for the team exclusively I can give you that guarantee Use it now or later in the season? I don't know. Yes, I would like somebody to come in and if the right opportunity comes along we will take it, although the timing is not the best."I feel I had a special relationship with Patrick. "But we have done some work already with our players to face the challenge because that is what is in front of us. The experienced players have a big part to play now to show strength and character."A massive player has left but that we still have enough quality to fight for the championship We are open [to strengthening] everywhere. "There isn't anyone who can afford him anyway."Following Vieira's official introduction as a Juventus player in Turin yesterday, Wenger reflected on the loss of a player who he says has left a "massive hole" in his squad. The Arsenal manager said that he "respected" Vieira's decision to leave but admitted that the "timing" of the transfer did not suit Arsenal."It leaves a massive hole because of his quality, presence and charisma and that's not easy to replace," Wenger said.
He is regarded by the Arsenal manager, Ars? Wenger, as a player who will combine with his fellow Brazilian Gilberto Silva, who occupies a more defensive role in the Arsenal midfield.Wenger, who signed Ga?Clichy and Jose Antonio Reyes to new long-term contracts yesterday, has ruled out moving for Lyon's Mahamadou Diarra and Newcastle manager, Graeme Souness, has moved to quash speculation that Jermaine Jenas could also move to Highbury. The player has forced his own exit and there is no player who has wanted to move club that didn't succeed. Now that he has made a fuss I hope he sticks to his word that he wants to do the right thing by our club and does not attempt to force a transfer to a club we haven't agreed a deal with."There are offers on the table from others - though at this moment there is no formal offer from Barcelona or Real Madrid - but Arsenal's is the best."The pressure brought to bear upon Baptista is likely to mean that, with some regret, he will travel to Highbury for a medical within the next few days unless Barcelona match Arsenal's bid for the player. Del Nido, who confirmed Tottenham were also interested, warned the Brazilian that Seville would not take kindly to the player waiting another year and preventing his club from realising his full value.Del Nido said: "Until Arsenal upped their offer to £13.8m the bid from Spurs was bigger but not quite enough.
The deal has been agreed under the terms of a Fifa rule that allows players earning less than a certain amount to leave for a nominal fee within one year of their contract expiring.This agreement has been reached without the acquiescence of Seville, whose president, Jose Maria Del Nido, yesterday endorsed Arsenal's bid for Baptista. However, Arsenal have run into problems with Baptista, 23, who has not yet accepted their annual salary offer of about £2.1m - despite being on a salary at Seville of £214,000 - and has indicated that he would rather join Barcelona. The Spanish champions have been unable to raise the funds to buy the player immediately but have agreed a deal with him to join the club at the end of next season for little over £1m. There has been an Arsenal delegation in Seville this week which has agreed a fee of £13.8m for the player - almost exactly the same amount as Juve paid for Vieira. Arsenal moved closer to signing Seville's attacking midfielder Julio Baptista last night - after Patrick Vieira's departure to Juventus - but they still face competition from Barcelona and an unexpected reluctance from the Brazilian to come to Highbury.
