Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes the club would be in safe hands if they were to hand the manager's job to Patrick Vieira.

Arsene Wenger has made the decision to step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season. It will end a 22-year tenure for the Frenchman.

Winterburn believes Vieira has the mentality and quality to take on the job.

He told Sky Sports News: "If it is Patrick Vieira, I would be delighted with that. He's learning in America, he is somebody who has been a winner with Arsenal, which is so, so important.

"I think he will be one of maybe 10 or 12 names thrown about in the coming months.

"I'd like anybody that can say to me they will move Arsenal back up. I still think it is going to be very, very difficult. I don't think it is a given that the new person will come in and be successful.

"They'll have to be patient, they'll have to look at the style of play, look at the changes that he is making to the team."