Patrick Vieira has set his heart on being a Gunner for a decade, after nearly quitting Highbury for Real Madrid in the summer, report The Sun.

After visiting Arsenal’s new ground at Ashburton Grove, the French midfielder has made it his mission to captain the side when they kick off there in August 2006.

Vieira said: "I can’t wait to lead the team out there, in front of 60,000 Arsenal fans. It will be terrific.

"The new stadium and the whole positive direction the club is going in is the reason why I wanted to stay around."

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Carlo Cudicini last night vowed to stay and scrap for his Chelsea place – despite interest from Manchester United.

The Italian keeper is reportedly top of Sir Alex Ferguson’s hit-list to take over from Tim Howard at Old Trafford.

But Cudicini insists he is happy to slug it out with £7m Petr Cech after recovering from an elbow injury.

Luca Bascherini, Cudicini’s agent, said: "He is happy to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.

"Carlo has been injured recently but now he is working on getting fit to try to get back in the side." (The Sun)

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Nicky Butt was hit by a three-game UEFA ban yesterday after being sent-off during Newcastle’s UEFA Cup first victory over Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin last week.

It is a massive blow to the player who picked up a Champions League winners’ medal with former club Manchester United in 1999.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness said: "Nobody was more sad about the red card last week than Nicky himself, but it shows that you never stop learning in football and he will have learnt from that.""(Daily Star)

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Gary Megson came out fighting last night after finally running out of patience with the wicked whispers surrounding his future at West Brom.

Allegations of dressing-room splits have increased the tension at Albion, but Megson insists his managerial record does not deserve to see him come under such pressure.

He said: "I think I’ve got a decent record as a boss. You have to accept that certain things go on that make your life difficult and you have to accept that.

"There are no problems with the team but when you get in this situation people are given the opportunity to make mischief." (Daily Express)