In Belarussian Alexander Hleb, a £10m (€14.4m) arrival from Stuttgart, Wenger at least has a versatile squad member who can play in the middle, but the 24-year-old cannot be expected to step seamlessly into the Vieira mould.

Brazilian Julio Baptista opted for Real Madrid ahead of north London because he wanted to stay in Spain, while the chance of Arsenal persuading Chelsea’s long-term target Michael Essien, at Lyon, to choose them ahead of a lucrative switch to Stamford Bridge looks slim at best.

Bastia’s 18-year-old Alexandre Song is another linked with a £2m (€2.9m) move, while Wenger has long been an admirer of Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas and Michael Carrick, at West Ham.

But with the traditional curtain-raiser of the Community Shield against the Barclays Premiership champions in Cardiff just days away, it looks increasingly likely Wenger will turn to his own young Gunners this weekend, especially given Brazilian Gilberto Silva is still short of match fitness.

And Fabregas, whom impressed last season, is ready to step up again should the manager call on his services.

“I had a good rest during in the summer and I feel ready for the new season,” said the Spaniard, who turned 18 at the start of May.

“I played many first-team games last season and that gave me confidence. I want to keep going and to keep learning.

“There will be expectation, but all I can do is what you always do – try my best and just try to play my game. I have all the confidence for the team.”

Fabregas added in the London Evening Standard: “If I am wanted, I will be okay to play against Chelsea on Sunday.”

The Arsenal midfielder, though, is all too aware of how influential Vieira was to the side.

“Patrick is an unbelievable person, and as a footballer as well - but we have to keep going. He was our captain and it will be difficult, of course. But I think it is challenge for the young players as well and we will try to replace him,” the midfielder told ArsenalTV On-line.

Fabregas was part of a youthful Arsenal side which drew 3-3 with Belgian outfit Beveren last night, when Robin van Persie scored twice.

The Dutch forward, 21, was given extra time off after he was arrested and bailed following an allegation of rape in a Rotterdam hotel earlier this summer.

Wenger, though, would have no hesitation in considering van Persie for Sunday’s game at the Millennium Stadium, which defender Sol Campbell is likely to miss with a calf problem.

“Maybe there will be attention, but he is getting over that, that’s the most important thing,” said Wenger.

“We must accept that he is under investigation, but at the moment he will be considered like any other player, it is all down to his fitness.”

Wenger added on the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com: “This was his first game because he was given some extra holiday, but he has my full support.

“Sunday is an important game for us. We want to improve from game to game and Sunday is our final preparation. It sets up where you stand before the season starts and it can be reassuring for fitness levels.”

Wenger, however, refused to be drawn into a war of words with Chelsea, after their chief executive Peter Kenyon claimed the winners of the Premiership this season would come “from a small bunch of one”.

The Frenchman quipped: “Everybody can say what they want. Football is full of statements – and if you pick them out after, you have many surprises.

“Yes, I feel we are in contention for the league – why should we not be? We have lost one player, and gained one player,” Wenger said.