Arsenal have been blessed with some world-class midfielders over the years, and former captain Patrick Vieira was perhaps the pick of the bunch.
Vieira was one of Arsene Wenger’s first signings as he joined from AC Milan, and the Frenchman became a legend at the club as he won three Premier League titles.
The midfielder eventually became club captain as he succeeded Tony Adams to then lead the Invincibles to Premier League glory undefeated, and he did this with Brazilian star Gilberto Silva alongside him in midfield.
Gilberto was one of the best defensive midfielders Arsenal have ever had, but Vieira has now claimed that one player was even better alongside him in the middle of the park, and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville agreed.
Patrick Vieira names Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit as his best ever midfield partner
Speaking on the Stick To Football Podcast, Vieira named fellow Frenchman Emmanuel Petit as the ideal partner for him in the midfield.
“Emmanuel Petit looked like the perfect partner for you, was he the perfect partner?” Gary Neville asked Vieira.
“Yeah he was. He was because at that time I was quite young, so I was developing myself as a player,” Vieira replied.
“I needed somebody next to me who can drive me, and Manu (Emmanuel Petit) was the perfect player for me at that time, because with his quality, I think we were quite really good together, because he technically was a better player.
“He was left, I was right, and he was creative, he had more going forward than myself, so I was more focused on the defensive side, and Manu could drive himself a little bit more.
“Then when I had Gilberto, he was more defensive and that allowed me to go a little bit more forward, but at that time in my career having Manu next to me was the best.”
Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira enjoyed year of glory for Arsenal and France
Both Petit and Vieira had the season of their lives in 1997-98. Wenger’s side won the Premier League and FA Cup double, with the pair at the heart of midfield, and their combination of technical excellence and brutal strength made them a nightmare for anyone to face.
They then capped off a remarkable club season at International level. Both midfielders were teammates for France, and they won the 1998 World Cup together.
Vieira was actually benched for the final against Brazil, which France won 3-0, but he came on for Youri Djorkaeff in the 74th minute to see out the game alongside his Arsenal midfield partner, as well as Zinedine Zidane in the middle of the park.
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The third France goal had Arsenal written all over it. In the 93rd minute, Vieira played Petit through on goal, and he did not miss, sealing the win in Paris, and the pair were lauded as Les Bleus secured glory on home turf.
The pair had enjoyed one of football’s best-ever seasons together. In their first full campaign as a partnership, they had conquered their domestic league and cup and assisted each other in winning the World Cup and shone a light on Wenger’s French influence at Arsenal.