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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could be about to complete his very own Patrick Vieira transfer
Arsenal could complete a deal for their next Patrick Vieira in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal: Danny Murphy praises Mikel Arteta’s side
Arsenal could land Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira this summer after underlining he thinks he could be a superb player working under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates. The central midfielder has been compared to Gunners legend Patrick Vieira and would add quality to the squad.
Arteta is keen to add a midfield general to his ranks as he looks to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Atletico Madrid ace Thomas Partey is the first option but Diego Simeone is determined to keep hold of one of his prized assets.
And Pereira has put himself firmly in the shop window with comments on Arteta and playing for Arsenal.
He explained: "I think he [Arteta] is doing a really, really, good job there.
"He is a really good coach who started as the second coach at [Manchester] City, so he has a little experience and Arsenal play very good football and I think he is doing very well there.
"He is a Spanish coach, he is a bit similar to Portuguese coaches, they also want to play with the ball and improve with the ball, so I think he is a good coach.
"The style I think I can fit there, the way he plays also thinking on the ball, the team always has to be together - I think it is a good way to play."
Pereira, 28, has also opened up on his dream to play in the Premier League one day.
Pereira added: "Of course I like to be here in Porto to be here in my country, but I want to be in a better league like the Premier League.
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"I always dreamed about playing in that league.
"I played also in Serie A but I think the Premier League is a huge league and one day I want to play there, to improve to be a better player.
"I think it's the best league in the world."
Former Everton and Portugal defender Abel Xavier compared Pereira to Vieira, praise which the midfielder was flattered by.
Pereira said: "It is an honour to be compared to this kind of legend.
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"I also have to thank Abel Xavier for these words, sometimes I don't like to be compared to another football player but to me it is an honour to see Abel Xavier talking about me in that way.
"I grew up seeing Patrick Vieira playing in Arsenal, he is one of my idols so it is very good to hear that."
Arsenal return to action tonight as they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League at 8.15pm.
Their final match of the top flight is against Watford on Sunday at the Emirates (4pm).
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