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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Chris Doyle

Patrick Vieira's subtle dig to Gary Neville about Arsenal tunnel antics

Patrick Vieira aimed a subtle dig at Gary Neville as he reminded him about their infamous tunnel spat.

Crystal Palace were desperately unlucky not to come away with three points at the Emirates as Alexandre Lacazette scored a stoppage-time equaliser to ruin the Arsenal legend's homecoming.

The Palace boss then spoke to the Monday Night Football crew on Sky Sports following the 2-2 draw as he was quizzed about his calm demeanor on the touchline.

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And Vieira insists he has always been that way "even in the tunnel" as he brought up the iconic antics in the Highbury tunnel from 2005 as the Gunners legend confronted Neville in a heated exchange, before Roy Keane would intervene.

Patrick Viera joked with Gary Neville about their tunnel antics (Sky Sports)

HAVE YOUR SAY! Tell us your favourite memory of the Man Utd vs Arsenal rivalry in the comments section

He said: "I've always been calm, even in the tunnel...."

Jamie Carragher and Neville burst into laughter as presenter David Jones replied: "I'm glad you mentioned that."

Vieira continued: "The previous managers I had, the majority of them were really calm. I think this is the image you want to give to the players and inside me, I am boiling and excited about every moment in the game.

"That's part of my personality, it's who I am."

Neville, Vieira and Keane opened up about the incident during the summer as all three men were in the ITV studio for the broadcaster's Euro 2020 coverage.

Vieira joked: "What started all this? Roy losing his temper!

"Before that? There was a rivalry between the two clubs and as an Arsenal player, you wanted to play against the best and at that time it was United.

"It was challenging, very difficult, and Gary here, one of his strengths was intimidating players.

Roy Keane after he had to pull apart Gary Neville and Arsenal's Patrick Vieira in 2005 (PA)

"At that time, I was getting frustrated at the number of fouls on our players. As the captain, I wanted to put him under a little bit of pressure."

Presenter Mark Pougatch then turned his attention to Neville, asking how things played out from his perspective.

Neville added: "So before we got in the tunnel to go out for the game, coming in for the warm-up, he's chasing me up the tunnel screaming at me!

"So I go into the changing room and sit down next to Denis Irwin, saying 'Vieira's a bit annoyed, he's just chased me up the tunnel.'

PICKING SIDES: Would you rather have played for Vieira's Arsenal, or Neville's United? Let us know below

Patrick Viera and Gary Neville were involved in a heated exchange (PA)

"I sat next to Denis here and Roy was next to Denis, so Roy heard that."

Keane then interjected with: "To be honest, I was trying to mind my own business. Honestly, I was just focused on the game, quite calm, getting in the zone.

"Gary was a little bit upset, he seemed a little bit worried. I told Gary to just forget about it and focus on the game.

"But of course, Patrick wouldn't let it go. Typical Arsenal bully. Then he started again in the tunnel just before the game started and that's when I got a little irritated."

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