Vieira wants to stay at Arsenal

French international Patrick Vieira says he wants to stay at Arsenal until the end of his contract with the English Premier League club in 2007.

Vieira, who was in French Riviera city of Nice to visit a healthcare centre for children, said he has no intention of leaving the London side where he is club captain.

"For the time being, my contract with Arsenal is still running and I don't want to leave," he said.

Vieira is focused on Saturday's FA Cup final when Arsenal face Manchester United and is hoping Arsenal can lift the trophy to save their season after finishing runners-up in the league behind champions Chelsea.

"We

played pretty well throughout the season but we failed to reach our two goals which were the title and the Champions League."

Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League after the first knockout round.

"If we win the Cup, we could say that we have had an average season, even if I'm certain that our side was stronger than last year."

Asked about the sanction against France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, suspended until October 15 for spitting at a referee, Vieira said the punishment was too tough.

"He deserved to be punished as he made a mistake. But it was much too severe," Vieira said.

Source: REUTERS
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