By Myles Palmer
Patrick was absolutely brilliant against Roma.
This was Patrick the fantastic.
He attacked more than he has ever done before.
His tackling was world class. His passing was phenomenal.His running was awesome.
His goal was elegant and his celebration was amusingly cool as he jogged over to Gio in the 12th minute to say, “Thanks for a perfect delivery, just where I wanted it.”
AND HE HAD A HEADER SAVED IN OPEN PLAY.
How often do we see that?
Another Gio corner was cleared, Pires put it back in from the other flank, and PV4’s diving header was saved one-handed,low down, by the lanky Pellizoli .
One of the finest games Vieira has ever played for Arsenal.And definitely the best game he has ever played as skipper.
So if you are disappointed by a 1-1 draw, how does he feel?
Yes, players get paid millions.But they put their feelings on the line and when you want to win the Champions League as much as Vieira does, and you play as magnificently as he did, you are gutted when you don’t win.
I was shocked when I found out Sol was not playing. That changed everything.
Sol has been excellent lately and I assumed he would shake off his Achilles injury in time.
I THINK TOTTI WANTED TO BE SENT OFF.
A bizarre thing to say, maybe, but look at the evidence.
Totti wrestled Keown to the ground on the edge of the box.He ran into him for no reason, except to provoke.
And then he looked round as a high ball was arriving, led with his arm- and slapped Keown lightly on the ear.
It was a schoolgirl slap on the ear, a tiny incident. Never a red card.
The challenge was silly, but deliberate.And therefore risky.
Totti must have known the Swiss ref might send him off.
He is not a raw kid. He is a young veteran of 26 who played in a World Cup that Keown spent on the bench.
Totti’s whole approach was kamikaze. He did not fancy a night against Keown, so he got himself sent off after 22 minutes.
His reaction was not one of surprise or fury when he was shown the red card.
Just before half-time Cygan was asleep on a long straight hoist from Emerson, allowing Cassano to chest the ball round Seaman and roll in the equaliser.
After the break, bteween 45 and 56, Arsenal had five promising attacks and sent three shots wide in two minutes.
The contest fizzled out after that, when Bergkamp, the main provider, went off. He had scuffed two decent chances.
Franny and Freddie came on, but neither did anything.
By now, after 78 minutes, Vieira was playing Roma on his own.Pires and Gilberto hit shots wide.
Cafu produced a wonderful late cross but Montella, incredibly,headed over from six yards.
What a let-off !
Verdict? You had to feel for Patrick.
Here, once again, was a super-gladiator playing with the passionate virtuousity he demonstrated when scoring twice against Charlton in that epic, tumultuous week of two red cards.
Energy, skill, power, concentration, ambition, leadership, grace – Patrick Vieira had everything.
BUT HE DIDN’T WIN.
So if you were disappointed, how did Vieira feel?
In Milan, Newcastle played with more verve and venom than Arsenal.
They took the lead twice against Inter in a 2-2 draw.
13th March 2003.