Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira has delivered a fascinating verdict on Mikel Arteta's current squad, pinpointing the single component he believes separates them from his legendary Invincibles team in the Premier League title race.
The former Gunners captain, who led Arsenal to their historic unbeaten season, acknowledges the "incredible" progress made under Arteta but suggests the team lacks the intimidating physical presence that defined his era.
The Intimidation Factor: What Today's Arsenal Lacks
Vieira highlighted the psychological edge his legendary team possessed, telling The Telegraph: "When I watch the game, the difference I see is the physical presence. When we were playing, we had players who were maybe six foot two, six foot three, and we were really physical and really strong."
He elaborated on how this physical dominance translated into psychological warfare: "When the opposition was playing against us, they were looking at who they had to play against and thinking, 'Oh, it's going to be a long, long afternoon.'"
Arteta's Evolution vs Vieira's Invincibles
While acknowledging the current team's technical excellence, Vieira believes the absence of that formidable physicality gives opponents hope. "The team of today is more technical, is more talented, but they are missing that physical presence," the Frenchman observed.
Despite this assessment, Vieira was quick to praise Arteta's remarkable transformation of the club: "What Mikel has been doing for the last couple of years is incredible. He has brought this club back to where it belongs."
The Modern Premier League Challenge
The Crystal Palace legend also addressed the evolving landscape of English football, noting the increased competition that makes replicating the Invincibles' achievement nearly impossible. "The Premier League is a different league now. It's more difficult, it's more challenging," Vieira stated.
He specifically highlighted Manchester City's dominance as a key factor: "You have Man City who have been so dominant and so good. To win the league, you have to be the best and you have to be consistent."
As Arsenal prepare for another title challenge, Vieira's insights provide a fascinating comparison between two generations of Gunners teams both chasing Premier League immortality.
