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Arsenal have lacked winning mentality since I left - Patrick Vieira

French veteran still has warm feelings for Arsenal, but doesn't think Gunners will win titles as they lack the killer mentality that their rivals show

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has admitted that he still has affection for former club Arsenal, but added that the Gunners are struggling to win trophies because they don't have the right attitude to be successful.

Vieira spent nine seasons at the London side, but spoke of his disappointment that the team seem incapable of collecting major honours, telling L'Equipe: "I still have warm feelings for Arsenal, but it's starting to become frustrating. They play the best football in England, yet they fail to win anything significant.

"I really enjoy watching them, but they lack the physicality to impose themselves. Arsenal don't have the killer attitude that a team like Manchester United have.

"[Tony] Adams, [Martin] Keown, [Nigel] Winterburn and [Ray] Parlour weren't as good with the ball as the current players, but they put their head where others won't even put feet."

The former France international then briefly discussed City's upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, adding that the fans must remember how the team has progressed in recent years.

"City are currently living in the shadow of United. This isn't likely to change until we win the title. Expectations are really high, but people shouldn't forget that we were fighting against relegation only a few years back."

Vieira concluded by saying that he hasn't made a decision about his future yet: "I don't know whether I'll retire this summer. It's fifty-fifty at the moment. I'll continue to play if a good offer is made, but I'll hang up my boots if nothing interesting comes up. There's a realistic chance that I'll retire."

Popey wrote:everybody sees it but wenger doesn't or he doesn't want to see it.

Plymouth Gooner wrote:Give him a player/coaching role! He doesn't have the legs to be the box to box midfielder he once was but he could fill in for Song as the holding midfielder every now and again! He'd be great to have around the place!

Arsenal great Patrick Vieira fears his former club may lose their star players unless they end their trophy drought.

The Gunners have failed to land any silverware since lifting the FA Cup in 2005 and look to have lost the race for the Barclays Premier League title this season.

Manchester United can extend their gap at the top of the table to nine points with victory against Newcastle this evening, and time is running out for Arsenal in their quest for a first league triumph in seven years.

And Vieira, now of Manchester City, worries that Arsenal will continue to be the perennial bridesmaids unless they show the combative edge and winning mentality of United.

This, he says, could lead to the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie leaving the Emirates Stadium in pursuit of success elsewhere.


"These days I follow Arsenal as a supporter in England," explained the 34-year-old.

"I love watching them play and the Arsenal players are doing the right things but you have to add something to that - notably in physical impact.

"In my day Adams, Keown, Winterburn or Parlour might have had less quality but they would put their heads where others wouldn't put their feet.

"Arsenal don't yet have United's killer mentality. They often need three or four goals to win a match.

"The problem is the important players like Fabregas and Van Persie will end up asking themselves questions."

Popey wrote:you should ask wenger this question. do you really think you can keep key players like rvp and cesc without winning a trophie for 6 years?

Leody wrote:

Popey wrote:you should ask wenger this question. do you really think you can keep key players like rvp and cesc without winning a trophie for 6 years?

If they want to leave because they haven't won, I say let them go then. I want players that are fully committed to the cause through thick and thin, not mercenaries.

I'm not saying I think RVP and Cesc are mercenaries, but IF they are I don't care if they leave.

I hate wishy washy grass is greener types. They need to take a look at themselves and ask why they haven't won, what more could they do... not look for a way out of the situation.

Popey wrote:everybody sees it but wenger doesn't or he doesn't want to see it.

Popey wrote:

Leody wrote:

Popey wrote:you should ask wenger this question. do you really think you can keep key players like rvp and cesc without winning a trophie for 6 years?

If they want to leave because they haven't won, I say let them go then. I want players that are fully committed to the cause through thick and thin, not mercenaries.

I'm not saying I think RVP and Cesc are mercenaries, but IF they are I don't care if they leave.

I hate wishy washy grass is greener types. They need to take a look at themselves and ask why they haven't won, what more could they do... not look for a way out of the situation.

but c'mon! they want to win a trohie one day. and if we continue to play like that we will never win something.