With today marking the 10 year anniversary of the day Patrick Vieira left, I decided to look at some of his best moments for the club.
1. Arsenal vs. Manchester United 3-2, 1997/98
This was a pivotal game in the season which showed Arsenal’s potential in challenging United’s dominance of the Premier League. Vieira scored his first goal of the campaign and it was a wonderful curling strike from outside the box. The result arguably gave Arsenal the confidence to push on for the title.
2. Spurs vs. Arsenal 2-2, 2003/04
All Arsenal needed from this game was a point to secure the title. Vieira put the Gunners 1-0 up with only 3 minutes on the clock. A ball across the box looked to be too far ahead of Vieira but the Frenchman managed to get his lengthy legs on the end of it to put the ball into the back of the net. The game finished 2-2 which resulted in Arsenal winning the league for a second time at White Hart Lane.
3. Arsenal vs. Leicester 2-1, 2003/04
This was the final game in Arsenal’s unbeaten season. Avoid defeat and they make history. With the score tied at 1-1 Dennis Bergkamp supplied a sumptuous through ball that met with Vieira’s beautiful run and he rounded the keeper to pass the ball into an empty net. The result ensured the entire Arsenal team would go down in history as ‘The Invincibles’.
4. Patrick Vieira becomes captain
With the retirement of Mr Arsenal, Tony Adams, there was a vacancy at the club for a true leader to become captain. Up steps Vieira. He thrived in the captain’s role and pushed the team onto new heights, including the unbeaten season. Arsenal have struggled to find such a leader since the Vieira days which shows how important a role Vieira played.
5. Patrick Vieira vs. Roy Keane
So this isn’t a particular moment but a battle that raged for many seasons. The two players were so instrumental for their club’s that whoever came out on top in this battle usually ended up on the winning team. This war was an exciting part of each encounter. Sometimes the players hadn’t even made it onto the pitch before the arguments started such as in the game at Highbury in February 2005. Both players epitomised the rivalry and hatred these clubs had towards each other.
6. Patrick Vieira’s last kick for Arsenal
The 2005 FA Cup final was fought between Arsenal and Manchester United. In a game that was dominated by United, Arsenal managed to hold on to draw the game 0-0. The game culminated in a penalty shoot out. With all players scoring their penalties except for Paul Scholes, Vieira with his last kick for Arsenal scored the winning goal resulting in Arsenal lifting the FA Cup.
