Arsène Wenger has stated that the best signing he made during his time at Arsenal was Patrick Vieira, who cost only £3.5 million, not Thierry Henry. Despite overseeing many significant transfers during his 22 years at the club, Wenger believes Vieira’s acquisition was the most important because it earned him respect from the fans. Early in his tenure, Wenger faced criticism, particularly for signing Vieira, who had struggled at AC Milan before joining Arsenal. However, Vieira quickly proved his worth, becoming a key figure in the club’s success, winning three league titles, and captaining the renowned Invincibles.
In an interview on Mo Farah’s YouTube channel, Wenger stressed that while there were many successful signings, Vieira’s arrival solidified his authority, especially among his critics. He also mentioned other great players like Robin van Persie and Cesc Fàbregas, who often went unrecognized despite their significant contributions to the club.
In other developments, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk responded to Arsenal fans after their 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield, suggesting that Arsenal is closer to Liverpool’s level than they realize, but placing the blame on one side for the situation.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola expressed sympathy for Mikel Arteta regarding a controversial penalty decision against Arsenal, criticizing referee Anthony Taylor’s harsh call. Lastly, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers took a jab at both Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans, dismissing their claims about his potential move to the club, referencing his previous Premier League title win with Leicester in 2015.
The Football Association also made a statement regarding a penalty awarded to Brighton against Arsenal for a foul on Joao Pedro, with Webb taking action against referee Taylor for what was deemed a shocking decision.
