Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged Patrick Viera to turn his back on Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan if he is to have any chance of making Raymond Domenech's France squad for the World Cup.

Vieira, 33, is currently out-of-favour for both club and country, and his former mentor believes that if he can secure regular domestic first-team football, then he will put himself back into contention for Les Bleus.

The former Arsenal skipper was left out of Domenech's squad for their World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland, a decision which left his former Gunners and France sidekick Emmanuel Petit fuming.

Domenech's decision was prompted by the fact that Vieira has slipped down the pecking order at Inter, with the self proclaimed 'Special One' selecting the Frenchman for only six of the Nerazzurri's 12 Serie A fixtures this season.

And while Wenger refused to humour suggestions that Vieira could find that elusive first-team berth with a return to the Emirates Stadium, 'The Professor' insisted his compatriot needed to move away from the San Siro in the New Year.

"What he's missing is playing time. To go to the World Cup at his age, you must play. But I think Patrick can regain his starting place for France," he told RTL.

"If I had to bet, I would put my money on another country. It's complicated for him to come back to this country," Wenger stated when asked whether Vieira might make a sensational return to Arsenal.