Arsenal face battle for Vieira

Arsenal were today facing up to the grim prospect of losing Patrick Vieira to Real Madrid.

The Spanish club's president Florentino Perez, who was unanimously returned to office on Sunday, has reasserted his interest in the midfielder and Arsenal are taking the threat of losing their inspirational captain very seriously.

Standard Sport understands that Arsenal are very unhappy with Real for going public without contacting the club. Perez has not spoken to anyone at Highbury but is believed to be talking to Vieira's agent Steve Kutner.

Arsenal fear Real are repeating the tactics that enabled them to prize Nicolas Anelka away from north London five years ago. The striker was unsettled by persistent talk of Real's interest and demanded a move to the Bernabeu.

Perez told Spanish newspapers after his re-election that "no players are not for sale" adding: "I try to sign the best player in the world in every position where we do not already have that. Vieira is, in my opinion, the best in the world in his position."

Reports in Spain have also claimed that Real star Zinedine Zidane has told Perez he wants to play alongside his France team-mate at the Bernabeu.

Perez was scheduled to meet new coach Jose Antonio Camacho again today to discuss the players they would like to recruit before the start of next season.

Arsenal are desperate to keep 28-year-old Vieira but understand that a decision must be made on his market value before the start of the season. The Gunners have had to contend with regular approaches for Senegal-born Vieira over the last few years, with the Frenchman turning down offers from Real in 2001 and 2003, and interest from Manchester United, and are determined to resist the Spanish club again.