Stan Collymore believes Patrick Vieira would be a revelation as Arsenal manager and would “rid the place of the stench of nice”.
Vieira has led a revolution at Crystal Palace as the Eagles have transformed from an ageing, stale side under Roy Hodgson to an exciting, young outfit with the Frenchman in charge. The latest example of their improvement came on Monday at Selhurst Park as Palace trounced the Gunners 3-0 thanks to goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha.
Would you take Vieira as Arsenal manager?
Yes
No
After the match, Collymore was active on Twitter, and in response to a comment from an Arsenal fan, stated Vieira would help rid the north London club of their “nice” reputation. He wrote: “Would have thought you’d all be delighted Paddy is stepping up. He’d address the niceness at AFC which is almost a cliché. He’d rid the place of the stench of nice. Take him home!”
TIF Thoughts on Vieira…
Vieira had unspectacular spells at New York City FC and OGC Nice before making the move to Palace in the summer, and was backed with the signings of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Michael Olise, Odsonne Edouard and Mateta. The changes have worked a treat, as the club now sit ninth in the Premier League table and have an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea to look forward to.
Hiring former players as manager is something of a developing trend in the English top flight. Frank Lampard climbed into the hotseat at Chelsea in the summer of 2019, while Arsenal themselves appointed Mikel Arteta to replace Unai Emery later that same year.
Arteta has conducted a solid job, winning the FA Cup in 2020 before leading his side up the table and back into the battle for the Champions League places this term. The players appear to be reacting to his methods, and the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal’s two top goalscorers this campaign, have flourished under the Spaniard’s tutelage.
Vieira may be doing a good job at Palace, but it is too soon to suggest he should take over at the Emirates Stadium. It would also be unfair on Arteta, who deserves plenty more time to lead a revolution of his own. In the future, however, expect the World Cup winner to be heavily linked with the Gunners job.