OT: Vieira retires

Best B2B combo midfielder ever imo. Basically invented the position. Strong in every department of the game, offensively and defensively. Was the boss of the team on the field during the gunners' golden years... not Henry contrary to popular opinion. He did everything for them.

Of course... he's also another product of my beloved AS Cannes.

Vieira was truly great, one of those extremely complete player. You dont see them around now, the last is probably schweiny but he isnt at the level viera was.

Wasnt Rijkaard a precursor of Viera?

St_Nick09_of_Goal wrote:Vieira was truly great, one of those extremely complete player. You dont see them around now, the last is probably schweiny but he isnt at the level viera was.

Wasnt Rijkaard a precursor of Viera?

True. But I don't think Rijkaard did everything as well as Vieira... he had a few holes in his game. Vieira ran the midfield, defended, recovered an enormous number of balls in the midfield, creative passer, scorer and air threat for Arsenal. And he was very loyal to the club despite getting offered much bigger contracts elsewhere.

I just can't imagine anyone being that complete.

Was one of the best CMs i have ever seen,He had the ability to dominate the centre of the game single handedly just like makelele but in a different way.Was the focal point of INVINCIBLE arsenal superior to gilberto silva.

I think arsenal didnt miss him instantly because gilberto was a viera mini version,but they eventually missed him.He was simply one of the best all rounders i have ever seen. seriously has the spot on par with redondo but with slighly less technicality but superior game reading and destructive play.

Vamos Amigo

He didn't invent but he certainly is one of its pioneers and excelled at it tremendously. Definitely a man who deserves the title "Legend".

Although I must confess, I enjoyed watching him and the Arsenal get frustrated out of their minds trying to find a way past Abelda, Baraja, Ayala and co. back in 2003 at Highbury.

I personally adore CMs, specially when they are all around and can create and pass. Not many in the sports today.

I watched that kid from Germany u17 during the world cup, Emre Can, oh my, he was such a beast. I was hoping we would get busy but then i found out he is a bayern munich player...

Baraja,yet again one of those underated spanish players along side valeron..good finding doc

A legend that the game will miss.

Just imagine... if our managers weren't completely retarded on the France NT during those years, we had a team of:

Thuram-Gallas/Blanc/Desailly-Lizerazu
Makelele-Vieira-Zidane
Henry-Trezeguet-Pires

When Blanc and Desailly left, Thuram moved to CB and Sagnol took over his position.

Of course, we never played that team together... not once.

Sigh.

all french legends seems to be physicaly stronger and taller,gives us a impression about french leagues