Why Vieira is No5
Chris Sutton has explained Patrick Vieira’s legendary impact for the Gunners – after placing him outside three Manchester legends in the list of all-time great Prem midfielders.
Sutton said of Vieira: “The way he lifted that Arsenal team, the greatest Arsenal team I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.
‘He had everything, brilliant leadership, he was strong, he was robust. Lifted players around him, but he would be in at five. “
Sutton then explained his leading three choices, saying: “The artist Kevin De Bruyne. What can’t he do? He’s got such unbelievable awareness. Eyes in the back of his head.
‘At number two, Roy Keane. I just would have loved to have been in that Manchester United team in that dressing room.
“I was in awe of him [and of] that whole United team. “He was the leader, he was the catalyst, he was the go-to man, the driving force, so he would be in it too.
‘My number one would be Paul Scholes. I mean, what couldn’t he do? I think Scholes was every bit as good as De Bruyne in terms of passing range, ability and awareness.
‘He was maybe stronger in the tackle than Kevin De Bruyne. But I mean, it’s so difficult to choose. But if you look at Paul Scholes’ numbers, I think 11 Premier Leagues, he won.”
