Arsenal are reportedly keen to bring former skipper Patrick Vieira back to the club to shadow Arsene Wenger with a view to succeeding him as manager.

Vieira won three Premier League titles under Wenger and captained the club to their 'Invincibles' success in 2003-04, when the Gunners won the league with no defeats in their 38 matches.

The former France midfielder is currently under contract at his final club Manchester City, where he has been working with the reserve and youth teams since retiring from playing in 2011.

However, the Sunday People reports that the London club are intent on enticing their former star back to the Emirates with the incentive of a chance to take over the reigns from his former manager when Wenger decides to retire.

Vieira was linked with the Newcastle United job before Steve McClaren was appointed in the summer, and he was also speculated to be on Sunderland's shortlist to replace Dick Advocaat last month.

The 39-year-old played 407 times for Arsenal between 1996 and 2005 before leaving for Inter Milan.