Arsene Wenger will resist Patrick Vieira's plea for a rest after the Arsenal skipper said he was 'unnerved' by his current form.
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Vieira: Unhappy with form
(TonyMarshall/Empics) |
Vieira wants a break because - despite France's early exit from the World Cup - he says he is feeling burnt out after five Premiership games.
He believes his performances so far this season have been inconsistent, and is anxious to get back to form by the time the Gunners begin their challenge for Champions League glory.
Vieira faces a one-match suspension on September 21, and could face a further FA ban after being charged with swearing at referee Andy D'Urso.
But he insisted: 'I'm not just tired, I'm cooked. I can hardly stand up at times.
My back hurts, my legs hurt, I hurt everywhere. This time I really need a breather, I need it. 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 quickly because the Champions League is coming and there will also soon be two matches with the French team.
'I know very well that I am not good at the moment. 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, but I do feel a bit unnerved by my form.'
But boss Wenger responded by saying: 'Patrick played in Cyprus on
Saturday night and after the game against Manchester City on Tuesday night, he
was very tired.
'I looked at the statistics for Tuesday's game and, physically, Patrick was
outstanding. He pushed himself very hard and that explains why he was so tired.
'But I have no plans to rest him. I believe he is a different physical shape
now and he will be ready for Saturday's game.'
And former Arsenal captain Frank McLintock has expressed his disbelief that the current skipper wants a rest.
McLintock believes Vieira's plea could be as much due to psychological as physical reasons following the speculation over his future last season.
McLintock told Sky Sports News: 'I'm astounded by it. I've watched him in
recent games and he looks just as good as ever.
'He covers a vast amount of ground. He's a great athlete and to think that he
is tired after five games is quite astonishing.
'When I think back to when we played, we often played 55 to 65 games a
season. The game has become a bit quicker but the pitches we played on were much different.'
Vieira played 54 times for Arsenal last season, in addition to 11 appearances
for France, making an energy-sapping total of 65 games.
Freddie Ljungberg is targeting a return to Premiership action when Arsenal host Bolton on September 21.
Ljungberg, sidelined since a hip operation after the World Cup, has come through a reserve game unscathed and said: 'I hope to be in the squad soon - hopefully by the home match against Bolton - but we will have to see how things go.
'I have only done two sessions of training before playing. I had a major operation on my hip and have been out for three months so it is important to be a bit cautious.
'There can be a big reaction if you hurry back too early. It is important to give yourself a bit of time to get used to playing again.'
Can Vieira be 'burnt out' at this stage of the season - or is he just having a bad run? Email the newsdesk with your opinion.
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