Arsenal pay price

But the figures also show why Arsenal have struggled to balance the financial demands of the stadium and be competitive in the transfer market this summer, as well as agree improved contracts with top players Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires.

Meanwhile, Ray Parlour today called on Vieira to "make the right decision" and sign. Vieira has been weighing up whether to sign a new deal on a contract that runs out in May 2004. Parlour said: "Patrick is a very important player. Hopefully it will be sorted out before the start of the season.

"All the Arsenal players want him to stay. Patrick is his own man but hopefully he will make the right decision."

Arsene Wenger was today given a double boost as his squad resumed training after their pre-season tour to Austria. Wenger was lifted by the news that his 18-year-old Swiss central defender, Philippe Senderos, is clear to continue with his preparations after a scan on a calf injury was clear.

And Vieira is confident that he will play some part in Arsenal's two matches in Glasgow, against Celtic on Saturday and Rangers on Tuesday.

The report to Wenger from the rehabilitation centre in the south of France, where Vieira has been recovering from a knee injury, is that he is in "his best shape for three years" and is arguably "stronger than he has ever been."

Vieira himself is said to be "hungry for football" after three months on the sidelines with knee trouble. He had to miss the end of Arsenal's season with the injury and then damaged it further in a freakish accident at a pop concert in Paris.