Arsenal's Vieira admits agonising decision to reject Real Madrid

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira admits he came very close to joining Real Madrid last summer.
 
In the end, Vieira only decided to stay with the Gunners two days from the opening game of the season. He told the Observer: "I told Mr Wenger that I had decided to stay."

"I thanked him for allowing me the time to make a decision. I knew that it was a very difficult time for him as well, that the season was coming and he wanted to get on with building the team."

"I explained to him why I wanted to stay - because I wanted to improve and I believed he could help me improve. We have a good squad, with Henry, Campbell and Cole. I told him that we must achieve what we needed to achieve, that Dennis and I wanted to stay to finish the job - and that means winning the Champions League."

It was reported that Vieira cried as he spoke to Wenger. "Cry? I'm not sure I cried, but it was very emotional ... the boss has always been fantastic for me."