Patrick Vieira won’t have recognised dreadful Arsenal on his return

Tue 19 October 2021 20:45, UK

Arsenal were a shadow of themselves upon Vieira’s return.

Patrick Vieira returned to Arsenal on Monday night.

The Frenchman is the new manager of Crystal Palace and returned to The Emirates with his new club.

Unfortunately, what he will have seen from the away dugout is nothing like the Arsenal he left.

The fall that the Gunners have suffered has been incredible.

There are so many flaws in the football club that what Vieira found himself setting up against would have been unrecognisable.

Arsenal supporters were jubilant when they scored a 95th minute equaliser.

Alexandre Lacazette fired in during the final seconds of the game.

This came after the Gunners had thrown away a 1-0 half-time lead against Crystal Palace.

That would never have happened during Vieira’s time at the club.

It’s indicative of the manager, the personnel and the general feel around the club, though.

Mikel Arteta is almost two years into his Arsenal tenure, yet there is still no clear plan.

A casual fan would not be able to pick out any obvious ideas that Arteta is trying to impose.

It doesn’t help that he’s stuck with a squad full of under-performing overpriced players.

Arsenal were a shadow of themselves upon Vieira’s return

Seven of Arsenal’s ten most expensive signings currently play for the club, their transfer fees add up to over £340m ().

Yet despite that, the Gunners sit 12th in the Premier League after 8 games.

It was just two games ago that Arsenal overcame Tottenham and went above their rivals on goal difference.

Yet since then, across just two games, Spurs are again above the Gunners, sitting four points ahead of them in the table.

Changes are needed at Arsenal.

The problems are deep-rooted at The Emirates and cannot be put down to just one man.

Sacking Arteta is not the answer.

Neither is splashing a boatload of cash on a new January signing when the window opens.

Years of change need to occur, from top to bottom.

The ownership of Stan Kroenke is a leading factor behind the struggles and the fans know it.

However, for Vieira to be able to return to Arsenal and recognise the club, so much work has to be done.