Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was happy to sell Patrick Vieira to Juventus because he knew he had Cesc Fabregas ready to step into his shoes.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood is close to many Arsenal identities and revealed to the Sunday Mail: "He's brilliant, Wenger. I've been in his company a few times and always learned something. He told us a story about Patrick Vieira that shows what top man management is.

"Vieira got offered fortunes at Juventus, five-year deal, when he had a year left at Arsenal. And Arsene said, 'I love you to death but in a year you probably won't get a new deal because Cesc Fabregas is coming through. If I was you I'd take the millions at Juve'.

"I spoke to Bergkamp about Wenger. He told me Arsenal's dressing-room was unbelievable, awash with drugs - but the right kind! Apparently they spent £1m a year on medical supplies.

"And their analysis is fantastic. Fabregas usually runs 13km a game then twice in a row fell to 11km so they took him out because he needed a rest.

"That's management - the ability to have faith in what you're doing."