Patrick Vieira’s one career regret as he wishes he left Arsenal sooner

Patrick Vieira admitted the one regret he had about leaving Arsenal for Juventus over 20 years ago

Patrick Vieira confessed he should have departed Arsenal straight after their Invincible campaign to join Real Madrid.

The Gunners legend arrived at the Premier League outfit as a 20-year-old in 1996 but departed nine years later as arguably the finest midfielder ever to don the north London jersey.

The Frenchman was consistently amongst the world's elite midfielders throughout his stint with Arsenal, with his displays at club and international level capturing the attention of Europe's most prestigious sides.

It was during the summer of 2004 - mere months following Arsenal's undefeated Premier League triumph - that the Spanish powerhouse attempted to lure Vieira away from Highbury.

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Nevertheless, a transfer never materialised, with Vieira concerned about the insufficient recognition Claude Makelele received during his Madrid spell. He subsequently acknowledged he should have seized the chance to join Los Blancos.

Speaking in 2010, following his Manchester City move, Vieira revealed: "It was complicated at Madrid. I was suspicious. The lack of recognition for Makelele over there scared me. I was scared it would happen to me.

"But I should have gone there. Today I don't regret the career that I have had but if I could have changed one thing, it would be that. To go to Madrid."

Vieira remained at Arsenal for another season - netting the decisive spot-kick in the FA Cup final against Manchester United - before ultimately departing in a £13million switch to Juventus.

Reflecting on his return to Italy, having previously experienced a brief spell at AC Milan from 1995 to 1996, Vieira remembered: "There were years when Arsene said to me: 'No, you are not leaving'. When in 2005 there was an offer from Juventus, I was in the Bahamas.

"When I came back, Arsene said to me: 'There is an offer from Juve, what do you want to do?' I understood that he was saying: 'If you want to leave, leave'." Considering Vieira's underwhelming period in Milan, his choice to have another go at Serie A caught many off guard.

Elaborating on the position he occupied under Fabio Capello in Turin, he revealed: "The simple idea was to work on the co-ordination of the team. There were the 11 starters and me. Sometimes the ball from the goalkeeper bring up without any opposition.

"Capello put me behind Demetrio Albertini so I had the right position. I had to follow him like a shadow. It was to learn the basics but at the same time it was also a great vote of confidence."

Vieira remained at Juventus for just one campaign before embarking on a four-year journey at Inter Milan, where he secured three consecutive league crowns. It's Inter and Arsenal who clash in the Champions League this evening, 12 months after the Italian giants edged past the north London club 1-0 at the San Siro.