READY? STEADY? NO!!

ARSENE WENGER has admitted his former captain Patrick Vieira has the “potential” to replace him as Arsenal boss.

But the Frenchman, who has another year left on his latest contract, insisted there will be “plenty of choice” when he does eventually step aside. And he suggested 41-year-old Vieira was not yet ready for the role.

Sixth-placed Gunners are only two points ahead of Burnley and need to win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Another campaign of underachievement has seen Vieira, now manager of

MLS side

New York

City FC, linked with the Arsenal job.

Wenger (right, with Vieira in their Gunners heyday), who has none of his former players in senior positions to form a line of succession, said: “He’s a guy who has the potential one day, yes.

“I’ve followed his managerial career. I think he does very well. But overall, after that, this Premier League is special.

“You have to come in. There are plenty of former players who played here, who have potential and the intelligence and the knowledge to do it. So there’s plenty of choice, don’t worry about that.” WEST HAM could be keeping Joe Hart beyond this season.

The England keeper (left), 31 yesterday, reaches the end of his loan spell this summer.

But Mirror Sport understands the Hammers

After signing a new two- year deal last summer, Wenger insisted his “personal situation” is not his “worry at the moment”.

He added: “My worry is to transform a season with many disappointments away from home into success and that’s what matters to me.”

Arsenal have failed to win a point on the road this year, but on Sunday welcome West Ham to the Emirates before returning to European duty.

“I will not rest players – I would say this weekend is a preparation for Thursday,” he said. “I rested some players after the Moscow game and they will need a game. For us, the Europa League is the biggest priority now.”

Wenger gave a further heavy hint he will still be at the Emirates next season when he insisted there were no issues with the are interested in holding on to him.

Hart had an evening to forget last Monday after his gaffe allowed Stoke to grab a point in a 1-1 draw.

But in the preceding games – at Chelsea and at home to Southampton – his contribution was Arsenal crowd, despite fans staying away in their droves from recent home matches.

“We are sold out in every single game so I don’t know where the problem is at the moment,” he said.

“If you feel like next season it will not be the case, then we’ll have to face it. But I believe that, if you look at our numbers and how much people want to renew tickets for next season, I don’t believe that we have a major problem.

“We have a major problem at the moment because we’re not in a position to win the league. That’s our biggest problem.”

Wenger admitted Arsenal miss midfielder Santi Cazorla, who has not played since 2016 and undergone 10 different operations on Achilles and ankle problems.

Asked if the Spaniard will play again at the top level, he replied: “I hope yes, but I don’t know.” outstanding in earning four points to help West Ham to inch away from the relegation zone.

Hart has also impressed manager David Moyes with his professional response to being dropped in favour of Adrian.

The Irons go to Arsenal on Sunday, but they are refusing to take safety for granted, despite sitting at 14th, seven points above the drop zone.

And they are open to a deal being st ruck with Hart’s parent club, Manchester City, to extend his stay in the capital.