Arsenal have repeated their pledge that midfield star Patrick Vieira will remain at Highbury next season despite reports that the French international has told "a close friend" he wants to quit for a new challenge.
David Dein, Arsenal's vice-chairman, said: "Patrick Vieira is an Arsenal player and he is not for sale at any price."
The Sunnewspaper had quoted Vieira as telling a close friend he wanted to leave in time for the new season.
"I am not going to start the season with Arsenal," the paper quoted Vieira as saying.
"I have left. That's it and they know it. I will not move to Italy and I won't sign for another London club," added Vieira, who is currently on holiday in Miami.
Vieira's comments concerning who he would not sign for put Arsenal's arch-rivals Manchester United and Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona at the head of the queue for his services, The Sunclaimed.
PA/AFP