A world champion as a driving force of a midfielder with France, and the embodiment of Arsenal’s Invincibles, Vieira is maturing into a coach of genuine substance with New York City.
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Wenger was angry with questions about his lack of spending following the side’s 0-0 draw with Leicester City on Saturday but he revealed to French media that the club are locked in talks with Valencia over a deal for Mustafi.
And Vieira, 40, reckons it is not hard to see why.
“Now when I watch Arsenal, they play good football, but I just have a feeling they are missing something – the physical presence, the personality”.
“The reason behind it I don’t know but for me the flawless example is Ajax when you see all the old players who played for the team working for the club, working in the field, in the office, and the door is always open”.
But Wenger pointed to the performance of 20-year-old centre-back Rob Holding, a low-key signing from Bolton Wanderers last month, as evidence that Arsenal are still bringing talented players to the club.
Theirry Henry was hoping to coach the club’s under 18s side, but his offer was rejected by Wenger.
“He’s a player I believe in a lot”, Wenger told reporters after confirming the decision. “We are struggling to find the players we need”, said Wenger. “We had Dennis Bergkamp, who had the flair, and Thierry Henry who could finish and had so much power, but also players who were athletic with the physical aspect like Sol Campbell, some really strong personalities with Jens Lehmann, David Seaman or the back four”.
‘Players want to do it but do not have the opportunity.
“We don’t speak about the performances anymore and I think that is not right”.
Arsenal now sit 12th in the Premier League after taking just one point from their opening two games.
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“I don’t understand it, the ideal example is Ajax”.
