Cesc Fabregas and Patrick Vieira are two of the best midfielders to have played in the Premier League and both players turned out for Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger signed them at different times and the Frenchman was recently asked to choose a favourite.
Vieira was one of the first players to join the Gunners under his management and helped him stamp his foot on English football by winning the Premier League.
Fabregas joined them from Barcelona as a teenage star and transformed into one of the best midfielders in the world and is still playing for AS Monaco.
Wenger says that it was hard to pick between both players as he managed them, but admits that Vieira is the player that gave him some credit at the club since he signed the former Nice manager first.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS as quoted by Sun Sports, Wenger replied to Andy Gray on the question: “Well, Andy, they were both of my former players so that is very difficult.
“I always say, and I said that in my book, the guy that gave me time and credit at Arsenal was Patrick Vieira, because he was the first player I bought.
“And Fabregas was an exceptional football player. And still is, because he is still playing.”
Wenger’s Arsenal legacy goes beyond just signing players as he helped the Gunners go through an entire league season unbeaten in the 2003/2004 campaign.
Vierra was the single most important player we ever signed, contrary to belief i did read Bruce Rioch wanted to sign him and we had been scouting him for a while. No matter he was the best signing we made in the wenger era. I dont think we would have won what we did without him, a beast. One of the few players Roy Keane rated as well.
Reggie, I would have to agree with Ian Wright that Dennis Bergkamp was the best signing that Arsenal has made, or ever likely to make.
Wenger’s biggest mistake was changing from big powerful midfielders, like Viera and Petit and not replacing Gilberto Silva as a specialist DM.
Just like DB, Patrick was one of a kind.
I honestly cannot think of another player we had in that position who comes anywhere near PV’s contribution.
Fabregas was also a brilliant player for us, but we had the likes of Cazorla, Rosicky, Eastham, Brady, Rocastle to name just a few for comparison… but Patrick was a one off giant for our club.
And Alan Ball, Jimmy Logie and Alex James , JUST TO PUZZLE THE YOUNSTERS, KEN!
jon, saw an interview with Graeme Souness on YouTube the other day, where he stated that Allan Ball was so good, he was the only player in England, who intimidated Souness.