From the start of the season, Patrick Vieira has been one of the few voices consistently saying Arsenal will be title challengers and believes ‘this could be their year’.
Even now, with Arsenal sitting five points clear of Manchester City, with a game in hand having lost just one game all season (a defeat that VAR played a pivotal role in deciding), pundits will not say that Arsenal are favourites for the title.
They are, however, finally admitting that Arsenal are in the race, which is nice of them.
Speaking back in August at the start of the season, Patrick Vieira knew what lay ahead of Mikel Arteta’s men after he watched his side lose to them at Selhurst Park, long before everybody else outside of Arsenal.
“They are in a better place than last year,” said Vieira. “The new players have made them much stronger.
“They have the squad to challenge and be closer to the title.”
A few months later, Vieira said towards the end of October, “When you look at the way they have been playing, I think they will be really close to winning the title.
“I think Mikel has made some changes and has brought in some really good players and they play at the moment with a lot of confidence and belief.
“What I will say is that they look like this can be the year for them.”
Patrick Vieira at Arsenal
Patrick Vieira is a retired French professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, currently working as manager of Crystal Palace.
He is best known for his successful career at Arsenal, where he spent nine seasons as a player between 1996 and 2005. Vieira is considered one of the greatest players in Arsenal’s history and played a key role in the club’s success during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Vieira joined Arsenal from Italian club AC Milan in 1996, and quickly established himself as a key player in the midfield. He was appointed as the club’s captain in 2002, and led the team to two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Community Shield during his tenure. His performances in the midfield were instrumental in the club’s success, and he was known for his powerful runs, precise passing and ability to score important goals.
Vieira was also a leader on and off the field, and his presence in the dressing room was considered vital to the team’s morale. He was a vocal leader and was respected by his teammates for his professionalism and determination.
Off the field, Vieira was known for his charitable work and commitment to social causes. He was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and used his platform as a professional athlete to raise awareness for various charitable organizations.
After leaving Arsenal in 2005, Vieira played for Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City before retiring in 2011. He then moved into coaching and is currently the head coach of the Nice in Ligue 1.
In conclusion, Patrick Vieira is considered one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players, and his contribution to the club’s success during his time there is undeniable. He was a leader on and off the field, and his performances on the pitch were of the highest quality. He will always be remembered as one of the key figures in Arsenal’s history.