Real-ity Bites
4 comments August 4th, 2004
Remember this boy?
This photo was taken in August 1996 – Arsenal were taking on Sheffield Wednesday, and an unknown french midfielder signed from AC Milan for £3.5m made his debut.
The rest, as they say, is history.
And so, it would seem, is Paddy.
I can’t think of much to say right now. The article sums it up much better than I ever could. Apparently Maniche is coming in as a “replacement”, but we all know that nobody will ever replace Paddy. When Ian Wright left, Vieira took over the mantle of my favourite Arsenal player, and carried it well for the seasons immediately following WWW’s departure. The boy came here as a nobody, and will leave as the greatest centre midfielder in the world, and one of our best ever players. How often in history have Arsenal had a player who was undoubtedly the best in their position in the entire world, bar none? That speaks volumes for just how massive Vieira has been for Arsenal football club.
But now, he’s off. He’s done everything he feels he can do with us. Or wants to do. Whatever it is, he wants to play for Real Madrid. That’s understandable. They are the most glamorous club in the world. If he is a success at Madrid he will be remembered as one of the all-time great footballers. At Arsenal he’d undoubtedly be a legend, but I don’t know if his star would rise quite so high as it can in La Liga.
I’m sad that Vieira is going. I’m happy that this all seems to be nearly over.
I trust in Arsene, and I know that he’ll manage to make this work.
Goodbye Vieira; See you Paddy; L8rz PV4; Tata Skipper; Adieu Le Long; Au revoir La Grande Saucisson;
Hello Tomorrow.
