Time for Arséne to bring back Vieira
Paddy for Paddy?
The first thing Arséne Wenger did when he signed for Arsenal from Grampus 8, weeks before he was even due to join the club full time while he ran down his Japanese contract, was sign two players.
The first was Remi Garde, an unspectacular but solid midfielder.
The other was Patrick Vieira, one of the youngest captains in French football who had lost his way at AC Milan.
From the first time he took to the field against Sheffield Wednesday, we knew we had one hell of a player on our hands.
Able to turn defence into attack with a single pass, he created a wall few forward lines could walk through. Our current team should take note, given the ease they have allowed high quality opposition take them apart recently.
But there was more to Paddy than just good play. He was a battler, a winner, someone who gave his all for the good of the team. When you lined up against Arsenal, against Patrick Vieira’s team, you knew you’d been in a game.
There are many ways to play football, many ways to win matches, but even the greatest of flair teams had an enforcer, someone to win the ball, someone to battle and, dare I say it, intimidate the opposition.
Remember when Gary Neville starting mouthing off in the tunnel at Highbury? Paddy stepped in and starting giving him a piece of his mind. That is what we miss.
There were reports today that Pat Rice could be leaving the club this summer, which the club has since denied.
A loyal servant, a great defender and someone whose warm-up drills seem perfectly adequate, perhaps a new face alongside Wenger in the dugout is just what Le Professeur needs..
Arsenal need new impetus, someone to bounce ideas off with Wenger.
If Ivan Gazidis was being honest at the AST meeting on Monday, Wenger is not the self-righteous, all-knowing manager we might think he is.
It’s fair to say, as Gazidis pointed out, that Wenger is willing to take the criticism himself rather than let his players, especially the younger ones, bear the brunt of the criticism.
But the best way to avoid anyone getting criticism is to win matches, to win trophies.
And with his career nearly at an end, now would be the perfect time to bring him back to Arsenal, the club that is in his heart, the club where he enjoyed his greatest successes, as Pat Rice's long-term replacement.
Can you imagine the boost it would give us all if he returned?
Having played just over 50 games in three years at Inter, it’s fair to say that his playing career is almost over.
Joining and then replacing Rice as assistant manager would bring so many benefits.
The young players would have someone to look up to, someone who would show them what it’s like to win, what it means to compete, what it means to use every last sinew, every last breath in the pursuit of glory. There’s no coincidence that when Paddy left, so did a unique element of our competitiveness, and his last act for the club happened to be hitting the winning penalty in the 2005 FA Cup final – our last trophy. Wenger and Vieira would be a combination of the brains and brawn that took us to some incredible moments of glory – and by bringing back his prodigal son, perhaps Wenger would learn a thing or two as well.
DA
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Reader Comments (16)
shut up hes well injury prone now
it would be embarassing also. a sign of desperation
A good thouhgt, but viera has said once hes left football he won't be going into management, he said it takes too much commitment and devotion to football something he doesnt have < his words!.
i think he meant a role as assistant and player, therefore not so important if injury prone. cant see it happening though
Not to play you wazzock.
PV4 back as right hand man. That would be a great prospect. In fact I'd have PV4 over big Tone in the role.
yeah,thats all we need,another injury prone player
Cant you fools read, he said to be an assistant manager!!
I wouldn't get rid of Pat Rice but i wouldn't PV4 being part of the management team!!
stupid stupid stupid, ridiculous post
I thought this yesterday greay idea we need him back to G up the troops or shall I say squaddies!!!!
Lets just find a true left winger ( someone like overmars would be nice)
A strong defensive midfielder with an eye for attacking
Central defense needs looking at as well
Arsenal cant afford to play around with the mix too much next season.. We have a great team but a weak spine.. Arsene is right on the money if he goes ahead with buying 2-3 new players
I'm not so sure that PV4 would make a great assistant manager you know. I have heard him on a few occasions saying that he is not interested in staying in football once his playing days are over. I actually think there is a far better candidate out there and am shocked no one has mentioned him as yet.... The One, The Only Dennis Bergkamp, he has repeatedly said he would welcome a return to THOF. The reason DB10 is at Ajax is to do with working alongside Van BAsten, well he has gone now so it would be perfect for DB10 to come in as assistant to WEnger this summer. HE would not only be an inspiration to the whole squad but I am certain he can teach thge squad a thing or 2 eh! Anyone agree?
I'VE that since VIERA left arsenal haven't been the same. Just look at what happened with LUNDBERG and PIRES once VIERA left,both kept getting injured because they now had to TACKLE and DEFEND,something they weren't used to doing. Bring back VIERA AND BERGKAMP for coaching jobs.
Not as the Assistant but a consultant that comes in once or twice a week and works with the midfield,
This would motivate the likes of Cesc, Nasri, Walcott, and definately improve SONG< DENILSON and DIABY (The bad impersonator)
Well its just been announced that PaT Rice is staying:
So how about a few of the old players make a small group and come to training once every three weeks. I recomend:
Tony Adams (Defending/Motivation)
Martin Keown (Defendind)
Viera (Midfield)
Bergkamp (Finishing, Ball control and positioning)
All we need is Tony Adams as the assistant,because he can try to build our defence and the positioning of our fullbacks.we need to give Paddy sometime.
Bring back one or two of the old guard - adams , dixon et al. Also bring in Seaman as GK coach. Also where is dinny. Yes it would be great to have these giants of success back on staff.
Agreed. Fellow Gooners: I want you all to take a close look at Lorik Cana, captain of Marseille. He has many of the attributes of PV and the tough attitude to match. He may be the answer not only as a holding midfielder but as the tough and gritty player we have missed since PV in 2005.