Arsene Wenger has paid homage to Patrick Vieira after the Frenchman announced his retirement from professional football.
Arriving in England from AC Milan in September 1996, the Dakar-born 20-year-old took to Premier League life with ease, sealing Highbury hero status with his energy, dynamism and aggression in the centre of the park.
The hub of the Gunners midfield in the Double winning seasons of 1997-98 and 2001-2002, Vieira captained Arsenal throughout their 49 game unbeaten run as the ‘invincibles’ waltzed to the 2003-04 season. He left Highbury in 2005 having secured the FA Cup for the Gunners with his last kick in a penalty shootout against Manchester United.
In total Vieira made 406 appearances, scored 33 goals, was booked more than 70 times and received his marching orders on eight separate occasions while wearing Arsenal colours.
He moved initially to Juventus before leaving Turin for Inter Milan following the Calciopoli scandal. Five seasons in Italy garnered five Scudetto titles to add to the World Cup and European Championship medals attained with France. After 18 months playing for Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City the 35-year-old will now take up a coaching role at the Etihad stadium.
Speaking from China, where his side have landed for the second leg of their Asia Tour, Arsene Wenger spoke warmly about his former student.
“You can only have lot of respect for what Patrick has achieved. His career is sensational. He was an exceptional player for us.
“We have classy players in midfield now but Patrick was special. He was a tall player with good technique.
“You do not compare [old players with new players]. We have exceptional players in midfield with their own character. But at Arsenal we will be forever grateful for Patrick’s contribution.”
Right, ns it only me that finds it depressing that Citeh have managed to create a role for Paddy, instead of him coming home?
Surely something could’ve been done, just to have the man knocking about the place? How much could Wilshere, Ramsey and Song in particular learn from him and how much could the team generally have benefited from having a leader like that working with them behind the scenes?
I would jus like to take this opportunity to wish paddy vieira a happy retirement, he has had a remarkable 18 year Career, in his 9 yrs with us he won 11 trophies. Winning 3 prem lge titles, 4 FA cups, & 4 community shields, he scored 49 goals in his 279 appearances. he then went on to win the serie A title with juve in his first season, & moved to inter & won 4 more titles, & 2 super cups, & in his las season at man city he won the FA cup, he also won the world… Read more »
Fuckin iPhone – is, not ns.
Aye lad, I know the feeling, predictive text can be a pain in the balls!!
I loved Vieira. Always looked like someone had spunked on his shirt.
“It’s Vicks!”
“Well tell him to stop it, or at least use a tissue instead.”
City fan, come in peace. Its strange, Vieria’s last action as a player for Arsenal and for City was to hoist up the FA cup. Vieria has also played for Mancini for a long time, and getting him on a free from Inter was his first signing. I doubted it at the time, but it turned out well. His legs have gone since he was at arsenal, but I think mancini signed him for his brain. When Man City are 1-0 up, with 20 minutes to go, Vieria gets thrown on, and we don’t concede those stupid last minute goals.… Read more »
dunno about a china cup… maybe a mug with *BOILK* written on the side 🙂
BTW : I agree with your sentiments.
Paddy is a real professional and did a great job at City even though it was clear that his best years had gone.
He will always (IMO) be one of the Arsenal legends.
Nice words. Fancy buying Denilson?
heh, Mooro.
Jaun – he’s a brilliant player all right. Thing to note is that he still doesn’t have his coaching badges so I’m sure the job at City will allow him to do that before coming home 😉
off topic slightly but…
To the tune of the lazy song by Bruno mars,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUf1Ax9x6cM (52secs onwards)
Today I dnt feel like selling fabregas,
I think its best that he stays a red,
Dnt feel like picking up the fone
Xavi leave a message after the tone
Cos today I swear im not selling fabregas…. Nasri stays too!
Ooooo oooo, ooooo oooo, nasri stays too!!!
thoughts?
Jeff that was so embarrassing and fucking bollox. grow up.
THIMBERT SMASH
I completely agree with you. Yet another balls up by the Arsenal management. We’ll probably bring Sylvestre back as defensive coach…
Well I bollocksed that reply up. Was meant fr the first post.
City fan – nice one mate. You’ve got a star there as you know. I’m hoping Arseblogger is right though 🙂
Gutted Paddy not coming home. I know we are lucky to support a team competing in the champions league and the Prem ( well sort of), but it feels like we haven’t had any good news for years. No real star signings, no trophies, any player who does well is sold, it’s is sapping the life out of me. Haven’t been so unexcited about the new season…probably ever, and I am old enough to remember the early 80’s…..zzzzzzzzzzzz
Midfield Corporal – you’ve hit the nail on the head. I’ve not felt this despondent for a long time. I’ve tried to keep the faith but this summer has killed the last of mine off.
What sapps the energy out of me is coming to an Arsenal blog or site to read the opinions of main stream media from supposedly Arsenal fans like @midfield corpral and @northerngoon
Can’t quite understand why my not being excited for the start of a new season is main stream media opinion. I usually back Arsene and the team to the hilt but it doesn’t take a genius to see where our short comings are, and with not much activity being done to rectify them I can forsee groundhog day again.
Don’t give up all hope Gooners. We have bags of quality in the team still. I think it’s easily forgotten becasue we get sucked into all the negativity surrounding the club, especially coming from the media. We are all disappointed after last season and that’s understandable. We are vulnerable. Remember though, even without Nasri and Fabregas (both of whom are still Arsenal players as I type) we have a quality side. We really do. Arsene will sort out our defensive woes at set-pieces. That’s fundamental. We have already added zip to the attack with Gervinho (who is the nuts by… Read more »
people need to stay positive until the transfer windows closes, then we can assess where we are in terms of players in & out, its too soon to be getting down-hearted.
keep the faith guys.