Vieira

I was thinking the same thing earlier. On the evidence of his performances for City lasts season, he no longer has what it takes over 90 mins, but as a sub for the last 15-20mins? Maybe. If nothing else, he could come in as a squad player who helps out with the coaching. Lets face facts here - if the likes of Fabregas, Song, Nasri and Wilshere can't be inspired and learn from a man who captained our 'invincibles' side then they may as well go home and take up rugby!

Song is class!

I would rather we went out and replaced denilson with a similar aged defensive midfielder.

If Wenger's plan is to promote from within then Viera might be worth a punt to guide the likes of Frimpong into the team and provide cover.

His influence in the dressing room alone would be worth what ever he is paid. After all it was a poor mentality and lack of strength in leadership that played a major part in our downfall last season

Bring him back as a coach, yes. But not as a player, his time is up and we should stop looking for stopgaps!

I Don't get why his times up he played 25 times for City last year scoring 5 goals where they finished 3rd and won the FA Cup, yea he mostly played as a sub but everytime I saw him play he play he done a job.
Keeps the ball well, still great in the air and everyone knows about his tackling. Fair enough he can't run that much but hes 35 whats Song's, Diaby's and Denilson excuse.

He fitted in well at city because of their playing style, rigid and defensive. With our passing and move system I don't think he has the stamina or pace to adjust.

What is Song's excuse? Probably that he played about 50 games this season and completed 90minutes in all of them covering more yards than anybody in our team in nearly every game. That's a pretty good excuse in my book. The signing smacks of desperation to me, "he's no worse then what we've got, lets get him". It's the wrong mindset to have, we should be making long term signings like United are doing at the moment with De Gea, Young and Jones. No signing stop gaps to paper over the cracks for another year. If we are going to sign a DM then lets get Vertonghen, Heitinga, Inler, Matuidi or somebody like that! If Vieira wants to coach Arsenal, I'm all for it but his time is up at the highest level!

"but his time is up at the highest level!"

*as a player.

I think we need to be looking to the future and getting a MF player for years to come.....

Pat would be a stop gap, and i think its time we just simply rebuilt rather than paper over cracks...

Of course I'd prefer a world class DM but I'm not sure Wenger's willing to spend enough to sign someone better than Song and Vieira has some of the attributes that we need as a team. Song hadn't played 50 games at the start of the season when he just casually strolls around the pitch making needless fouls apart from that he slows the game down ridiculously and his passing is limited so if were gonna sign a defensive midfielder for a decent amount I hope its a replacement not back up.

Apparently he's weighing up offers from the States and Quatar. KERRRRRCHIIING!