Wenger: Arsenal board won't cave into Real Madrid

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is convinced his board is strong enough to resist cashing in on Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal have rejected Real's £23million bid for Vieira, 28, and are determined not to cave in.

And Wenger is convinced he is close to winning the bitter battle to keep his France midfield superstar.

He said: "The board here are strong enough to say that they have no need or desire to sell and it's my opinion that Patrick will stay."

"Patrick's just as big a chance, if not more, of winning trophies here."

"The recent history is in favour of Arsenal. In the last three years we've won two championships and two FA Cups."

"But last year Real finished fourth in the Spanish League and now have to qualify for the Champions League this month."

"It took Real Madrid more than 30 years to win the European Cup at one time and it could be another 30 years this time around."

"Nobody knows. It is not because you keep adding big names to your squad that you are automatically successful. Patrick knows how I feel about his role in my vision for the progress of this club and I believe he shares in it."

"I want him to go to the end and finish what he has helped start. I want him to take us to the next level of being a truly big club and that can take 10 years."

"He has already been part of something special at Arsenal and helped create a team that not only wins trophies but wins in style."

"At the moment the situation is that Patrick has another three years remaining on his contract. In fact, I am more worried about other players with less time remaining than I am about him."