"They've had a difficult time but the Arsenal players keep going. I think it's really important the way they keep playing really good football, they keep creating so many chances.
"I think they will need a little bit more time and in football you don't have time because you get criticism so quickly. But in the end I think Arsenal will always be near the top."
Vieira, however, is still impressed by Sir Alex Ferguson's side after they beat his Inter team 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
"What's really important and what isn't a surprise is that year after year this team keeps winning. That shows how good they are," he said.
"They are young but when you look at Scholes and Giggs they are showing the young players how to win. It's important to have key players like them in the squad".
After a dramatic night in Rome, the Gunners turn their attention to domestic matters tomorrow and the visit of Blackburn.
Much of the talk about Arsenal's League campaign has focused on the battle with Aston Villa for fourth place but Eduardo insists they should set their sights higher after overcoming their recent goal drought.
"Before we didn't score but its coming slowly," said the 26-year-old. "What is important is that we are defending well and the performances are coming.
"There are a lot of great players coming back now. Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Adebayor are all coming back and it'll be okay. I think we can be in the top three in the Premier League."
A minor groin problem picked up in the Stadio Olimpico will force Eduardo to miss the Blackburn match. His absence is a blow given and it is a considerable shame he will not get the opportunity to build on last weekend's magical volley with the outside of his foot in the FA Cup win over Burnley.
Despite the latest setback, he insists confidence in his body is growing - although he admits he never thought that wonder goal would stand.
"Every time I play I get more confidence in myself and I hope I can help the team for the rest of the season," he said. "I thought I was offside [against Burnley] because I drifted. But I wanted to hit it with the outside of my foot - I was 100 per cent in myself I would do this and it went in."
Andrey Arshavin is available after being ineligible against Roma but Mikael Silvestre is unlikely to be considered despite recovering from a calf problem.
For Blackburn, Brett Emerton and Steven Reid are long-term absentees with knee injuries.
