Patrick Vieira Questions Arsenal Players’ Commitment: ‘They’re Not Giving Everything For The Shirt’

By The Editor
on 30th March 2017

Patrick Vieira questions the Arsenal players’ commitment…

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira questioned the commitment being shown by the current squad as he attempted to deflect attention away from Arsene Wenger.

Speaking to Copa90 in New York, Vieira was asked where he stood in the ‘Wenger In or Out’ debate and the iconic midfielder claimed that the situation is more nuanced than that.

Vieira stated that he has more sympathy with Wenger now that he’s a first-team manager and instead claimed that the players, at some point, have to take responsibility.

“The manager is always going to be an easy target,” Vieira explained.

“I think when players are on the field, they have to take responsibility.

“Players have to look at themselves and see if they give everything for the football club. At Arsenal, I don’t think the players can say they’ve been giving everything for the shirt that they’re wearing.”

If anyone can take issue with the players’ commitment, it is Vieira, The Frenchman is arguably our greatest captain after Tony Adams and defined Wenger’s initial period in charge.

He dominated the Premier League with power and skill as he led us to three league titles and four FA Cups in nine years.

However, he remains a man loyal to Arsene Wenger given the role the boss played in his career and it may be hard for him to honestly scrutinise his compatriot, as he mentions in the interview.

While many point to the players taking the field, why have we seen the same mistakes rear their ugly head despite seeing a huge turnover of players since Vieira’s departure? Therein lies the source of the frustration from fans levelled at Arsene Wenger.

Check out Vieira’s full interview in the video above as he discusses the current state at Arsenal, his rivalry with Roy Keane, and who he’d love to have played alongside in his career.

Source: Copa90