Vieira: I need a break

Patrick Vieira will ask Arsene Wenger for a break from football because of exhaustion.

The new Arsenal captain has led the team to an unbeaten five-match start to their Premiership defence, but is unhappy about his own contribution.

"I'm not just tired, I'm cooked," said Vieira. "I can hardly stand up at times. My back hurts, my legs hurt, I hurt everywhere. I am going to see the manager because he must give me some rest.

"I don't know when or how, but we have to do it quick because the Champions League is coming and there will soon be two matches (Slovenia and Malta in Euro 2004 qualifiers) with the French team."

Vieira was very self-critical about his contribution to Arsenal's season. "I know very well that I am not good at the moment," he said. "I know all too well that my performances are up and down.

"My confidence is not affected by these average performances because I know myself very well. I do feel a bit unnerved by my form.

"To lift my legs up in training is not enough to make me feel better." But Vieira has been heartened by Arsenal's results that sees them top of the league despite the absence of Robert Pires and Frederik Ljungberg.

"This shows the rest of the teams that we are ready now. And when we get the likes of Pires, Ljungberg and Giovanni van Bronkhorst back, it is going to be really hard for the manager to pick 11 players," said Vieira.