JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta has been officially appointed as Arsenal coach. Responding to the appointment of his fellow former Gunners player, Nice boss Patrick Vieira denied having held talks with Arsenal before they appointed Arteta.
Arteta officially started work at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after agreeing a three and a half year contract to replace Unai Emery.
Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi said he and technical director Edu spoke to "several high-profile candidates," one of whom was reportedly Vieira.
Former Gunners captain Vieira has been linked with an important role at the London club during the recruitment process. However, in an interview with Canal Football Club, he claimed there was nothing substantial about the speculation.
Session one. Work has begun. pic.twitter.com/FcREaxgoNr
- Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 22, 2019
Asked if he had been contacted, Vieira - who is also linked with David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami - said: "No. It's honored to see my name everywhere but I am under contract with Nice."
"I have known since I arrived how lucky I am to be involved with this club's project," continued the man who has also played at Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
"I have no intention or desire to go and find another club."
Nice finished seventh in Vieira's first season and were 10th in the first half of the season. The 1998 World Cup winner said qualifying for European competition was a long plan for him with Nice.
"The most objective thing is to play in the Champions League one day, but this takes time," concluded Vieira.
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