Patrick Vieira backs Manchester City to win successive Premier League titles

May 13, 2012: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany lifts the English Premier League trophy following their soccer match against Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England. (Reuters)

Patrick Vieira believes Manchester City could succeed where Arsenal failed and win successive league titles.

The former City and Arsenal midfielder helped the Gunners win Premier League crowns in 1998, 2002 and 2004 but the Londoners never managed to emulate Manchester United's modern dominance.

The Frenchman thinks City, after claiming their first title in 44 years, could have the capability to do that and win multiple championships.

Vieira said: "With Arsenal it was difficult to win the title back to back. United did it for quite a long time.

"As a club it is important to win it back to back, that is what you strive to do, but we know how difficult it is.

"Football is a cycle, every five or six years, and I hope this club will have the stability that you need to be successful. We know success comes with stability.

"We have a young team, really talented, with the determination to do well.

"Hopefully this team, for the next four or five years, will dominate the English game."

Vieira, 35, retired after playing a part in City's FA Cup success last year and is now the club's football development executive.

In a season when Paul Scholes came out of retirement for Manchester United at 36 and Thierry Henry briefly rejoined Arsenal at 34, Vieira might have yearned to play in City's history-making win over QPR on Sunday.

But he said: "It was time for me to retire, but it was a real pleasure (watching them).

"I have been with the players and I know them quite well. I know how much they wanted it.

"There was a lot of pressure on their shoulders.

"There were so many negative aspects around the team but the attitude was to win the game and win the title.

"I am really pleased and really proud of them."

Vieira is still trying to comprehend the events of the weekend, when City came from behind to win 3-2 with two injury-time goals and snatch the title on goal difference.

He said: "I still can't believe it - losing 2-1 with five minutes to go, it is unbelievable.

"When you have just retired you try to put yourself on the field and try to see how you are going to think.

"If there are just five minutes to go, can you still believe or not? All credit to the players for keeping believing in it.

"It is always good when you win the title but when you have been waiting 44 years it is fantastic for the club.

"Winning the FA Cup last year, the league this year - it is important to improve every year. The club is going up the right way."

PA