Vieira anticipates warm Highbury welcome

Monday, 27, Mar 2006 11:35

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira anticipates a warm welcome for his return to Highbury in the Champions League quarter-final tomorrow.

Vieira departed Arsenal for Juventus last summer and the draw sees the midfield maestro pitched against his former team-mates in what he expects to be an emotional experience.

The French midfielder, who won three Premiership titles and four FA cups with the north London club, praised Arsene Wenger's team in an interview with Domenica Sportiva, an Italian television programme.

"In terms of the way they play, if I had to compare Arsenal to an Italian team, I would compare them to Milan," he said.

On his emotional attachment to the club, the 29-year-old said: "When you play for a team for nine years you can't not be emotional. I enjoyed many good moments in that stadium. I expect a warm welcome."

Both his former and current coaches share a passion for the game, he continued, though while he considered Wenger to be more reserved, Juventus manager Fabio Capello is more "expressive" in his coaching.

Arsene Wenger relishes the return of his former captain. "For us, Patrick was an amazing player and I am convinced Cesc [Fabregas] will be," he told a press conference.

Vieira meanwhile is confident: "Their play is more based on technique than physique - but we have what is needed to beat them."