Vieira fears for Gunners
Former Arsenal man believes retention is key for Wenger
By James Dall Last updated: 14th May 2008
Vieira: Hoping Arsenal squad can stay together
If they start losing players like that it could be a worrying time for Arsenal. I think it is important for the team to stay together. They would benefit from staying together and playing together for longer.
Patrick Vieira
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Ford's Feel Football programme engages fans debate with Champions like Anders Frisk, Patrick Vieira and Ruud Gullit online at www.FeelFootball.com and at live events around Europe.
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Internazionale midfielder Patrick Vieira understands Mathieu Flamini's decision to leave Arsenal, but admits further departures could spell a 'worrying time' for The Gunners.
French international Flamini, whose contract at Arsenal was set to expire in the summer, completed his protracted switch to Serie A giants Milan last week.
Flamini's exit sparked rumours that Alexander Hleb could follow him in seeking pastures new, with Inter reportedly keen to secure his services.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has since insisted that he will strive to retain the core of his squad as he looks to build for next season.
And while Vieira believes Arsenal are bursting with potential, the former Gunner feels that additional summer exits could undo years of Wenger's work in constructing a team capable of lifting silverware once more.
"I think Flamini is a big loss. I think he has been fantastic for Arsenal over the last two years," he said at an event run by Ford's Feel Football debate website www.feelfootball.com.
Loyalty
"I understand his decision to leave. Maybe the offer he received from Arsenal was not the best, and maybe that is why he decided to leave. I think everyone has to respect the decision.
"I think the young players at Arsenal deserve a good contract, they have shown how good and committed they are.
"I stayed loyal [during my time at the club] because Arsenal wanted to compete and I had a good contract, so I had no reason to leave.
"If they start losing players like that it could be a worrying time for Arsenal. I think it is important for the team to stay together. They would benefit from staying together and playing together for longer.
"They are a young team and they must stay together if they are to be better than last season."
Vieira also suggested that the addition of one or two more experienced players might complement the current squad's youthful make-up, and in turn boost their push for trophies.
Experience
"I think they need experience - one or more players," he continued. "They lost crucial games this season, maybe down to a lack of experience among the players.
"I don't believe Arsene Wenger should buy stars. I think the way they are is fantastic. Maybe they need one or two players that have experience at the key moments."
Prem 2008/09 Win Outright: Arsenal 9/2
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Arsenal vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Wigan |
| 17:30 | Sunderland vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Chelsea vs Portsmouth |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Everton |
| 17:30 | Fulham vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Chelsea |
| 16:00 | Man City vs West Ham |
| Monday 25th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 8 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 Newcastle | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Derby 0 - 4 Reading | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Wigan 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Birmingham 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Tottenham 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Bolton | |
| Monday 5th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 4th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 1 - 0 Man City | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton | |
| Saturday 3rd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Birmingham | |
| Reading 0 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Derby | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 2 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 4 - 1 West Ham | |
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Comments
Likhit Sutchairak (Arsenal fan) says...
I agree with Lee Durham that the only reason he leave to milan was because of the money issue. You can't just say you move because of us didn't win anything this year. Look at AC milan this year, what did they win, they are way worse this year than us. And any that want to leave because of money issue you are so welcome to do so man.
Posted 03:58 15th May 2008
Naza J (Arsenal fan) says...
why would a pro footballer worry about their contract ? a total year of their salary can already last them more than a lifettime ! 100,000 pounds a WEEK? average ppl like us would take a whole life's work to save that much
Posted 02:29 15th May 2008
Allen Davis (Arsenal fan) says...
I think Vieira needs to stop commenting about Arsenal, he did exactly what Flamini did, he is trying to justify what flamini did so he doesnt look bad. Players like Vieira have no loyalty.
Posted 01:01 15th May 2008
Andy De silva (Arsenal fan) says...
Let's be fair Arsenal fans!! We poached him on the cheap from Marseilles. Plus, he spent an entire season playing completely out of position at left back! He was committed, and what he did was fair. Obviously Arsene didn't expect his rise to prominence this season otherwise his contract would have been sorted out the season before.
Posted 00:38 15th May 2008
Lee Durham (Arsenal fan) says...
Flamini decided to leave Arsenal for Money nothing more, I respect that because a footballers career is short and he possibly feels he needs as much money now whilst on top of his game as you never know whats around the corner what with injuries etc. Arsenal are better off without him if his motivation is money, and they are better off without any other player driven by money, Flamini has just broke into the team this season and had made the position his, another good season next year and he could have ended up Captain and on a better deal, he hasn't joined Milan for football reasons as they may not be playing in the Champions League next season so its purely money and lifestyle possibly, as far as other players leaving the club then if Arsene believes the demands they are asking for are over the top for the way he runs the club then he will let them go too, but he will find an adequate replacement for sure, in Arsene we Trust, good luck Flamini and thanks for your effort at Arsenal!
Posted 07:51 14th May 2008
Aman Singh (Arsenal fan) says...
Jean Makoun will prove to be better than Flamini, just because Flamini had one great season doesn't suggest that he would have contributed to help get more out of the team. Flamini is replaceable, he ran all over the picture like some crazed mad man this season thats cool, but it seemed like half of it was because he was playing for his career. Greed for money comes at a cost, he'll either go down hill at Milan, or he will tend to do a little bit better for a couple of seasons. Wouldn't fans rather see Wenger develop even more better players than Flamini?
Posted 07:43 14th May 2008
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