BERGKAMP TIPS VIEIRA AS FUTURE GUNNERS CAPTAIN
The former Dutch international, who questioned whether the Frenchman would stay with The Gunners after his consecutive sendings off at the start of the season, told his official website that the player`s mood had improved a lot in recent weeks.
"I'm sure he'll stay here and could even go on to captain Arsenal one day," Bergkamp said. "He certainly has that posture and influence of a skipper, in the same way as Tony Adams.
"I can assure you he looks in good shape physically and mentally. He's been in a far better mood since the beginning of the season when he was understandably furious following his two red cards."
The former Ajax and Internazionale playmaker went on to speak of how Arsenal will miss the player during his five-game absence due to suspension - a period when they face Manchester United and Chelsea - but said the team will work hard to ensure that when Vieira returns they are still in touch with the Premiership leaders.
"I know we'll miss him when his suspension starts, but the rest of us will have to do our best to make sure we are still up at the top by the time he returns."
The news of Vieira`s state of mind will be a relief to Gunners fans who feared the powerful midfielder would be set to leave the club following his two dismissals.
In the aftermath of the incident, Bergkamp was pessimistic about the chances of the French international`s staying in North London, saying: "It has happened again so quickly after Sunderland on Saturday and he felt bad enough then. Now he could be thinking `That`s it, it is all over`."
