Patrick Vieira has retired from professional football. Vieira will go down as an Arsenal legend after featuring 406 times for the Gunners scoring 33 goals over 9 years with the club.
Vieira won the Double in 1998 and 2002, lifted further FA Cups in 2003 and 2005 and captained the ‘Invincibles’ side to an unbeaten Premier League campaign in 2003/04. Patrick will now take up a coaching role with Manchester City.
“This role is a fantastic new challenge for me and I am very grateful to Manchester City for offering me this opportunity. I have a lot to learn about the non-playing areas of the business but there are many very experienced people here for me to learn from and I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to the club’s ongoing success.” said Vieira.
It would have been great if he came back and coached at Arsenal but that was not meant to be.
As we look back at Vieira’s time at Arsenal, many memories rush through my head. There is the 2003/04 season when he lead us as ‘Invincibles’. Then there were all the battles he had with Roy Keane over the years. Vieira did not score many goals but he chalked up some spectacular strikes, who can forget his goal in 1997 against Manchester United?
Below is a look back at Vieira’s time at Arsenal. Please tell us your best Vieira moment.
The goal against Man Utd when David Platt scored the winner in a 3-2 game. Paddy was a true great. And the Keane tussels
He is gud player and a marvellous leader. I so much respect him.
When he slapped Ruud Van nistelrooy that was my proudest day as a gooner
Vieira sorting out that thug Keane every time they met. The only player to do so. In the end, Keane kept his distance.
I m proud of all his as gooner
I’m saddened that Vieira decided to take up a position with Man City rather than come home to Arsenal after his playing career.
As for favorite memories I love the angry confrontation Vieira had with Roy Keane in the tunnel prior to the game at Highbury. Then, there was the other tunnel incident where Vieira was seemingly poking fun at Keane telling him to smile. Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_thjxzj9ASU
I think it has to be the story of Uncle Pat slapping Nikolas Anelka around the head with his horse cock for missing an open goal against Fulham. lol
afc_fan, Vieira chose city because he knows as many are beginning to learn that AFC is sliding and City is rising. All the professional ranks know this.
Vieira made wenger, as wenger has won f-all without Vieira.