Wenger: Let's not all dash to the US

But Wenger prefers a low-profile approach, gradually building the players towards full fitness.

This week they are at a health spa in the south of Austria and have played friendlies in Maribor in nearby Slovenia and against Grazer AK. They complete their Austrian tour tomorrow against Sturm Graz then fly to Amsterdam on Thursday for the Ajax tournament at the weekend.

There were reports at the weekend that Chelsea players were wandering sleepless in Seattle in the early hours of the morning because they were jet lagged and Sir Alex Ferguson's men had to play Bayern Munich in searing temperatures for the benefit of television viewers back in Europe.

If Arsenal had gone to America, they would have been without top names such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Fredrik Ljungberg, who have only been back in training less than a week after their participation in Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Arsenal would also have been without Edu, who has been playing for Brazil in their triumph in the Copa America tournament in Peru. He will now be given a three-week break because Wenger is a firm believer in adequate recuperation for his players.

Wenger steadfastly refused to add to the speculation surroundingthe future of Patrick Vieira, a reported target for Real Madrid who are said to be willing to offer in excess of £20m for the club's 28-year-old captain.

Vieira is clearly aware of the interest - just as he knows how much Arsenal want him to stay and lead Wenger's fledgling team to future glory.

The club believe the next move is Vieira's. They have stated publicly how much they want to keep him and refuse to repeat it on a daily basis. It is now, they feel, Vieira's turn to make his intentions clear.

Gunners vice chairman David Dein is due to fly to Austria for talks with Vieira today amid reports that the club will try and sign Willy Sagnol from Bayern Munich.