Patrick Vieira, in my slightly arrogant opinion, is one of the best central midfielders to ever play the game. I can't think of many footballers in that position who was as all-round as he was. From passing, tackling, shooting, hustling and being a great leader. It's all you pray and hope for in someone playing that position.
A lot of people would want put the spotlight firmly on Henry as the reason Arsenal were invincible that season and why they were so successful. But anybody with a brain who actually understands football, would tell you that without Vieira, Arsenal would not have won anything. That is just how vital he was to the team. Henry was superstar striker and one of the greatest players to ever grace the pitches of the Premiership. But every superstar needs that one player who isn't as glamorous, but is needed for them to flourish. Vieira was that glue to the team, who connected the defense to attack, and got the team moving.
You can't have a football team without a midfield.
As both Henry and Vieira were getting older, Wenger had to act. He couldn't rely on them being able to give the kind of performances they gave before, because their legs just weren't able to. With how good Henry was, and with him being one of the most coveted players at the time, everyone knew that he was going to head to Barcelona. This was common knowledge, and the way Thierry handled it was great, with that emotional goodbye. However, with Vieira, he never tried to force a move out and his intentions were to remain with Arsenal, as long as he felt he was wanted.
There are two positions in a team where age and experience are important. That is of the central defender, and the central midfielder. They are so important to the structure of your team that you need someone with vast knowledge and a long string of games to slot in there. If Wenger had fought for Vieira to stay, he would have been a great compliment to Fabregas and Nasri in the midfield area. And I tell you this, with how good of a team Arsenal had along with the wise Vieira, Arsenal may have gotten their hands on more trophies.
Wenger was pretty much being arrogant. He wanted to emulate Ferguson, and so believed he would form a team of foetuses that would grow together and win a league. But he overestimated their quality, and wasn't humble enough to keep Vieira as a guardian angel to help coach these talented youngsters on the pitch to help them grow and mature quicker than the six of seven years of barren lands. By Wenger not doing so, he made a huge mistake and I'm sure in private he would admit that he shouldn't have allowed Vieira to go.
What is even more crazy, is how Vieira became a coach for Man City, working with their youth team. That is what he should have done at Arsenal, retiring at the club and being part of its infrastructure. Manchester is a very long way away from London. I can tell you for a fact, Arsenal's barren spell where Wenger now became a symbol of ridicule by some section of the fans wouldn't have occurred if Vieira had remained.
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