By Myles Palmer
A few months back I said Arsenal should try to persuade Vieira to play at the club where he makes a difference.
I argued that winning the Champions League at Arsenal WOULD be a bigger achievement than winning it at Real Madrid.
That logic seems to appeal to the player and now he is virtually saying : Make me an offer I can’t refuse.
Vieira’s comments about incoming players are likely to be more accurate than agent-inspired pieces in the tabloids.
If he says AFC are signing a keeper and a striker we should probably pay more attention to that than to backpage scoops about various Dutch midfielders and defenders.
Because PV4 gets his info from the only man that counts, his pal Arsene.
Vieira has again said: “I want my future to be fixed before the World Cup. The ball is in the directors’ court. If the club want me to stay then I will stay.
“The fact that our manager Arsene Wenger has extended his contract is an important element for my future.
“The relationship he enjoys with his squad is frankly
extraordinary and he really listens to you.
“We are expecting a new striker and a new goalkeeper, while the new stadium will be ready soon. Why not stay?
“I do not feel that I have come to the end of the road with Arsenal. If we find the right balance, this club is going to explode.
“I would have more pleasure winning the Champions League with Arsenal, with all the club represents for me, than with, say,Juventus, who have won everything.
“At Arsenal, there is everything to change and everything to win. In fact, I want to enter the history of the club.”
BUT IS THIS A GOOD TIME TO DISCUSS VIEIRA’S CONTRACT?
Yes, because the World Cup is only 51 days away.
Would Arsene still sign Mark Van Bommel?
Yes because the only thing better than a hard man with skill is TWO HARD MEN WITH SKILL.
10th April 2002.