Patrick Vieira admits his stance has changed on Daniel Ek’s chances of Arsenal takeover

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Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira distanced himself from any Arsenal takeover talk, citing he is “in a different position” to when suggestions of Daniel Ek’s interest in purchasing the Gunners first emanated. The Frenchman was reportedly a part of a possible takeover of Arsenal last April, by the Spotify owner Ek, who had also implicated Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in any potential move.

Conversations about a possible takeover were first made amid the North Londoners’ involvement in the so-called big six’s attempt to breakaway and join the European Super League.

With furious Arsenal supporters protesting in their masses outside of the Emirates Stadium, the Swedish billionaire said he wanted to throw his hat into the proverbial ring.

Henry has since insisted that himself and Ek retain an interest in a possible move for the Gunners, recently stating “We and he is here to stay.”

However, any potential move would not involve Vieira, as the former Arsenal captain said his full attention is on Crystal Palace.

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“I was just expressing myself as Patrick, ex-Arsenal football player,” Vieira said to Sky Sports News.

“That comment was based on how the direction (of the club) was going.

“I was talking to somebody who had a different view and a different way of taking (forward) Arsenal Football Club.

“This was the reason why with Dennis and Thierry were involved in the kind of situation that Arsenal was in.

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“I am in a different position than a couple of months ago. So I’m not going to express myself in the same way than when I was just an ex-Arsenal football player.”

Vieira’s first ever managerial job in the Premier League has got off to a decent start, with a victory, four draws and two defeats in the Eagles’ first seven matches of the season.

He takes his side to his former employers in Palace’s next match, where a win could see them leapfrog the Gunners.

However, the Frenchman did say there were conversations about a potential move to purchase the Gunners, but the Kroenke’s had no interest in leaving.

Vieira further clarified his position by emphasising how much he has relished the challenge at Selhurst Park.

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“When you were looking at the situation at the time it was clear that the Kroenke family was making the statement that the club is not for sale,” said Vieira.

“Then I think everything was over. You can’t buy a football club if it is not for sale.”

“What I really wanted was to come back to the Premier League to manage and I’m really lucky to be in a good football club.

“There is the foundation to express myself as a manager and I want to grow with the football club.

“This football club is really ambitious, as I am as a manager, and both of us can achieve good things here.”

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