Arsenal Legend Vieira to Join . . . Arsenal?!
By: Martin | July 30th, 2009
Well, that’s the rumor, anyway. Some outlets are reporting Arsenal may offer Patrick Vieira a one-year, incentive-laden deal to come back to the club. It seems like Arsene Wenger hasn’t really found a good option at holding midfielder, so this would give him a stopgap until next summer, when he can hopefully go out and get a long-term solution (or Alex Song might turn into the long-term solution if he continues to develop this season). It would give Vieira a high-profile club to showcase himself so he can try to stay in the mix for France’s national team.
I don’t really know what to think, to tell the truth. On the one hand, we need someone who does exactly what Paddy did for us. He’d be cheap and wouldn’t require a long-term contract. He’s familiar with Wenger, is beloved by the fans, and knows and respects the club and all that it stands for, having been one of our greatest captains. He’d bring leadership and a link to the most successful period in the club’s history.
On the other hand, though, he is 33. He’s not anywhere near the player or physical presence he once was, and has had trouble breaking into Mourinho’s Inter set up. He’s struggled with frequent injuries over the last couple of seasons. Honestly, if we got him, I’m not sure he displaces Alex Song as our starting defensive midfielder.
But, look, I’m a softie. I cry at the end of the movie “Cool Runnings.” We may not get that much out of him, but if you tell me there’s a chance Patrick Vieira is going to come back to the Emirates and proudly wear the red shirt again, sign me up.
We won the friendly against Hannover 96 1-0 yesterday (video here), with the win coming on an early goal by Cesc, who made his return to action. I didn’t really get to watch it, but I’m happy that Cesc decided to ditch his ridiculous faux-hawk haircut.
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Comments | Add your comment
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I really don’t know if we should get him, anyway today wenger came out and said we wont make any signings, because he thinks the team is strong. I hate how he said at the end of the previous season that he needs experienced players , then he goes on by saying if I sell a striker, I will buy a striker, or when he said that people think that he has 100 million to spend and he’s not, “if its available for me Ill spend it.”
I just hope that what he say about not buying player is not true, because we need to strengthen
Posted from
United States
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Pahleese!! Please!! Please!! Please!!
Posted from
United States -
1 more thing, I hate when arsenal fans talk about that its not a problem, we will still be in the top 4 again next year…
that is not what we should aim at, we WANT TO WIN!!! not to be good just to be in the top 4!
The problem is that I think we are just 2 players short from being really really favorites to win.
Posted from
United States -
Does Arsenal’s system even require a deep-lying midfield destroyer anymore? They were pretty impressive in the 07-08 season until Eduardo got injured, and they did so with their current crop of midfielders (minus Hleb and Flamini).
Posted from
Australia -
I think we need a holding midfielder, I think so since maybe a year now, defence got changed, so it’s the HM position we need to fill, and maybe he’s older, but experience wasn’t something lacking in say Gibbs mistake vs Man U in the UCL semi final? I’d rather have had Cana or somebody in that line, but I am not againts Pat (even though I do remember his failed panely at a final of UEFA cup, so please do not use him if a Roma situation arrives again). Yes, I am dramatic this morning…
Posted from
Panama -
viera? no thanks. this is just stupid
Posted from
United States -
Gooner, why do you overreact so much? Wenger said the team is strong but this is the rest of the quote
“I feel we are strong enough but if we can add then we will do it,” the Frenchman told the Gunners’ official website.
“If we need to add then we will. We have money available so for us it is now [important] to spend it in the right way when we do it or if we do it.”
He also said something I think is so true.
“In England people think that all the problems can be sorted out by buying players. I believe the biggest target is to work hard in training, improve what we can improve and have confidence in the players that we have.”
Posted from
United States -
Shouldn’t, and probably won’t, happen.
Reeks of desperation much?
Posted from
United States -
Guys,I watched the inter friendly the other day and saw how sadly Viera missed the penalty.Sometimes you have a feeling that he has not only lost a step, his concerntration and the intensity that we are used to seems to be gone….again in fairness, I think he is still a good competitor maybe, not a 90mins midfielder anymore
Posted from
United States -
I think Arsenal should add him for depth. The club needs a holding midfielder, which is particularly important in the Champions League knock-out stages. The team generally lacks the toughness that they had when they were successful every year (with Viera, Ljunberg, Campbell, etc.)
Posted from
United States -
Sounds like a pretty desperate rumor. In any case, only a rumor, count on it. We could use a guy like him, but younger, though, of course.
Wenger says we aren’t in a rush to spend the money…
“I feel we are strong enough but –>if<– we can add then we will do it”
I think the issue really is money. We have about 40 million pounds?euros? into the club from sales but only six (I think, for Vermaelen) out from purchases. Are we really that in debt from the new stadium? Is the Emirates going to sink us into mid-table?
Wenger’s right that the solution isn’t to buy new players, but seriously. He prefers potential to proven quality, and I think that can be said now without a doubt.
Posted from
United States -
That is I side with Gooner. Loyalists, snap out of your lethargy and call for some hard changes!
I don’t think we have a particularly strong squad. There is potential and we will make neat profits from improving players from unknown to half decent, but we won’t win any trophies, and every year that Wenger maintains this policy it looks less and less like we’ll qualify for CL. Will this be the year?
Sometimes buying new players isn’t the solution, but sometimes it is! There’ve been such instances where players are purchased and said player makes such an impact as to raise the spot on the table. It works the other way sometimes too. But making no changes is bad. Unless Vermaelen significantly changes our system, teams will know our players and our style, and they’ll be ready, in our case, to hack us down and not play with finesse. Teams like Stoke and Hull did well against us last year precisely with that tactic, a proven way to beat Arsenal. The way I see it, not only did we change nothing, we lost quality with Adebayor and Toure and unless Bendtner/Walcott/Vermaelen have knockout, impact seasons, I don’t see how we can mount a challenge without a new buy.
And yes, the goal should be trophies, not qualification. That’s what Aston Villa/Everton/West Ham aim for. This. Is. Arsenal.
Posted from
United States -
just to support what you said Alexinho “Sometimes buying new players isn’t the solution, but sometimes it is”, Arshavin is the best example, look how things changed when he came. I am not calling for a mad money signing, like the morons real madrid, but here Arshavin for 15 pounds got the job done…
As for Zito comment, from previous year experiences Wenger said the same thing, that we are strong ect., and will invest in players if he find right ones keeping on mind he had 30 million pounds to spend… well as usual”the signings never came!” I hope I am wrong and hope that he invests in at least 2 players a DMF and CF
Posted from
United States -
I’ll echo what most everyone else has said. I’ll also say that as of now, this is the first season in the last 10 where I went into the year not even hoping for a title. Right now, I’m just hoping for a top 4 finish and another CL spot. I’ll also agree that this is supposed to be a big club. A lot of us became fans when they were winning titles. So it’s hard to take what’s going on now. I’m also not excited about Vieira one bit. Just a nice name on the back of a shirt at this point, as far as I’m concerned. Why don’t we bring back Marc Overmars while we’re at it?
Posted from
United States -
Viera? Why not buy marcos senna. That would be a steal.
Posted from
United States -
I stand by my point saying this: if it’s no holding mdifield or Pat, I choose Pat. Althoug I am starting to think it’s just a rumour
Posted from
United States -
Pat is not coming to arsenal according to wenger.
on the other hand, there are rumors from 3 different sources about wenger targeting de rossi. hope its true and it goes through
Posted from
United States -
As an Inter fan who knows a lot of Inter fans, how much would it take for Arsenal to take Vieira back? I mean, were I to take up a collection, how many times would I have to pass the hat? Because I am 100% certain that every single one of us Inter fans would contribute to a “transfer Vieira” fund. I would start the kitty right now with $100 cash dollars!
Man, we just can not get rid of this guy. One more season, though, and he is out whether he likes it or not!
Posted from
United States -
Hmm, after some consideration, what I meant to say was:
Nooooo, whatever you do, dont take Vieira! He is the very bestest midfielder ever! I dont know what we would do without him. He is wonderful and I heard that he smells like roses.
Yep. Now do you want him?
Posted from
United States -
he smells like roses? so he’s a gun and roses?
Posted from
Panama -
Gigi… groan. Please do better next time.
Posted from
United States -
Hahaha, will try, let’s blame it on morning at the office and no breakfast yet.
Posted from
Panama
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