Revealed: How Arsene Wenger's quick thinking sealed a deal for Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira

ARSENE WENGER has admitted Arsenal were nearly pipped by Ajax to the signing of Patrick Vieira.

Arsene Wenger and Patrick Vieira celebrating Premier League title winGETTY

Arsene Wenger admits he nearly missed the chance to sign Patrick Vieira

Vieira joined the Gunners 19 years ago, however manager Wenger has admitted he came perilously close to missing out on the Frenchman. 

The former midfielder started his career with Cannes in 1994 before moving to AC Milan two years later. 

He made just two appearances for the Italian giants before joining Arsenal.

However, it took a last-minute phone call from the Emirates manager to stop Vieira joining Dutch outfit Ajax.

Arsenal club fact file

“I knew him very well because he played his first game with Cannes against Monaco in a post-season friendly,” Wenger said.

“He played against one of my players who was quite tough and he dominated him physically.

“He was 17 years old at the time and I said after the game that this player would make a big career. I wasn’t wrong there.

“I had a big hand in [signing him], yes. I did it from Nagoya. I think he trusted me because when I called him on the phone, he was in Amsterdam to sign for Ajax.

“He was in Holland, he was there to sign but I knew his agents. I spoke to Patrick and said, ‘Please, stop. Come to Arsenal.’

“They were waiting at a hotel to go to the headquarters of the club to sign and I could just stop it. The next morning, he flew from Amsterdam to London.

“My whole history could have changed [without convincing him to join Arsenal]. That’s the coincidence and the luck in life. I just had the right luck to intervene at the right moment.”

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