Patrick Vieira was asked to pick his best manager- not Arsene Wenger

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has suggested Jose Mourinho is a better manager than Arsene Wenger, insisting the Special One had a bigger influence on him than the Gunners boss.

The bruising midfielder played under Wenger for almost a decade during his time in north London and for just 18 months under the Portuguese at Inter.

However, when asked who would he the manager of his select XI, Vieira said it would be Mourinho that he would choose.

"He's the manager who had more influence on me," Vieira told The Times. "He was the one who impressed me most on his work ethic. He knew everything about the opposition, the strength, weakness.

"His detail was unbelievable; everything was so clear about what he wanted from each player. I don't know what happened at Chelsea but he always got the best out of his players.

"Arsene is more concentrated on his own team. He gives freedom to players to express themselves. It's a different style."

Vieira also revealed he didn't speak to Wenger for 'quite a long time', while insisting his relationship with his compatriot is perfectly amiable.