Arsene Wenger is celebrating 20 years as Arsenal boss today.
Nigel Winterburn
Former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn was speaking live on Sky Sports Now at 10:43 am on September 22nd, and discussed some of the fantastic signings that Arsene Wenger has made over the years.
During his early years at the club, Wenger gained a reputation for bringing in unpolished gems, and turning them into world-class stars.
Winterburn reeled off a list of names who stood out as incredible signings, including Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka, but he told Sky Sports how one player holds the title of Wenger’s greatest ever signing:
Patrick Vieira
“I would go for his first one in, Vieira. For what was it, £2.5 million? It wasn’t a lot of money. For the length of time he spent at the club, and for the drive and determination this guy had. He was sensational.”
Wenger’s failure to replace Vieira when he left the club in 2005 proved to be crucial in his side’s failure to win the league from that point onwards.
Vieira’s influence on the Arsenal side was something that the Gunners desperately missed when he left for Italy. He was a leader in every sense of the word, and his powerful displays in the middle of the park were equally as important as Thierry Henry’s scintillating attacking performances that drew most of the acclaim, especially during Arsenal’s so-called ‘invincible’ season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Wenger has rebuilt his midfield to a standard where they probably have the strongest options in the Premier League today, and that midfield will be well and truly tested against Chelsea on Saturday in the 17:30 kick-off.
Arsene Wenger
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