Lock, stock, but no barrel

23 August 2016 - 11:10 By BARNEY HENDERSON

PATRICK Vieira has claimed that Arsenal lack the physicality and personality of his Invincibles and criticised the club for shutting the door to former players. PATRICK Vieira has claimed that Arsenal lack the physicality and personality of his Invincibles and criticised the club for shutting the door to former players.Vieira, a key figure in the side who went through the 2003-2004 season unbeaten, said: "The Invincibles had it all. Now when I watch Arsenal, yes they play good football, but I have a feeling they are missing something - the physical presence, the personality."Vieira added that he partly admired manager Arsène Wenger's "brave" policy of not caving into pressure and bringing players in for the sake of it, even when the fans demanded change."But, on the other side, the team is not doing as good as it used to and you need to win matches."They've been disappointing, losing games they should have won."Vieira said he could not understand why the club did not allow former players such as Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires to help to influence and inspire the next generation of players coming through."I'm disappointed not to have ex-Arsenal players working at Arsenal," said Vieira."It is good for the young players who could see a Henry, a Ljungberg, a Sol Campbell or a Martin Keown, who have been at the club a good few years working in the academy, or working somewhere."Players want to do it but do not have the opportunity. I don't understand it ," he said.The Frenchman said he was loving his first season coaching MLS side New York City, where he manages Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, and has guided the team to the top of the US eastern conference...

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