Patrick Vieira failed to earn a win for his Crystal Palace side on his first managerial return to Arsenal. A last-gasp Alexandre Lacazette strike stole a point for the Gunners.
Palace had fought their way back into the game after two individual errors from Arsenal midfielders Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey allowed Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard to give the Eagles a lead.
After the match, Vieira said that based on the outcome of the match, he believed his side were worthy of more than what they were able to come away with on the night. Referencing his side's ability to come back from going a goal down.
“I think when you're looking at how the game went, and coming back in the second half and scoring two goals, and the way we conceded the second one, it's two points lost for us and we are disappointed,” said Vieira in his post-match press conference.
Vieira had additional motivation during the game after a history with the club after his departure from Highbury in 2005. The Frenchman had an incentive to beat the club which overlooked him in the process to replace Arsene Wenger.
Patrick Vieira was a key figure considered for the managerial position at Arsenal when Wenger left the club. However, there was some reported controversy when contact was made between the Frenchman and the club.
According to Sky Sports, reported by Kaveh Solhekol, the call received by Vieira was considered simply a ‘token gesture’ and in fact not a direct offer to be considered for the position.
Vieira would continue coaching in his homeland of France with Nice in Ligue 1 but was eventually sacked before a spell out of the game and finally being appointed the successor to Roy Hodgson at Palace.
Furthermore, Vieira was reported to have given his support to Daniel Ek. The Spotify CEO had multiple bids turned down by owner Stan Kroenke’s son Josh Kroenke.
It is understood that Vieira has now separated himself from the billionaire after taking on a role at one of Arsenal’s Premier League rivals. Understandable considering the conflict of interest that it would create.
Yet, getting a win over the club run by KSE who has overseen Arsenal’s decline since their arrival back in 2007, two years after Vieira’s move to Juventus.
Vieira will now have to wait for the new year to get his next opportunity to get one over his former side.
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