Arteta urges Gunners fans to hail ‘remarkable’ Vieira

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has branded Patrick Vieira a ‘remarkable’ player and a one-of-a-kind talent ahead of his showdown with the Gunners legend.

The pair never played in the same Arsenal side but Arteta is full of respect for Vieira, who has been linked in the past with being Gunners boss but instead makes his first return to the Emirates as a manager with Crystal Palace on Monday.

‘He was very dominant,’ Arteta said of Vieira (pictured), who won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups under Arsene Wenger between 1996 and 2005.

‘He was physically really gifted, technically too, he had the right temper, he was brave and could score goals. He could do a bit of everything and he was remarkable.

‘Patrick was Patrick. There’s not going to be another one like him.

‘He is an Arsenal legend and I hope he gets the reception he deserves for what he did for the club, not only as a player but also what he transmitted as a person. It is great to have him back.’

Arteta will not be able to call on Granit

Patrick is an Arsenal legend - I hope he gets the reception he deserves for what he did here

Xhaka, who injured his knee in last month’s 3-1 derby win over Tottenham.

The Switzerland midfielder this week posted ‘work mode’ alongside a picture of himself in the gym and Arteta said Xhaka would attempt to reduce the three months he is expected to be out.

‘With Granit, if you tell him three, he will be thinking two,’ said Arteta. ‘He will try to cut edges and do extra work to minimise that time.

‘We have to do it the right way because it is a significant injury and we want to have him back properly when he can.’

Meanwhile, Arteta said

Gabriel Martinelli could be missing after suffering a minor injury last week but he has no intention of sending the 20-year-old Brazilian out on loan in January.

‘I’m very happy with him,’ said Arteta. ‘It is a minor injury. We don’t know if he is going to be available for Monday but we have a lot of trust with Gabby.’