Arsenal News LIVE: RIP to Steve Rowley, William Saliba ‘stays’ at Marseille, Arteta backs Xhaka

Don’t mess with Vi

Arsenal legend Martin Keown revealed Patrick Vieira grabbed one of his team-mates by the throat aged just 20.

Keown told The Mail: “One day an older player complained about Patrick in the dressing room. All in English – assuming Patrick wouldn’t understand.

“Well he did. Patrick got up, flew across the room, grabbed him by the throat and said in perfect English, ‘Why are you fucking talking about me behind my back?’

“Here was this lad, new to the club, yet to make his debut for Arsenal, physically confronting one of the oldest members of the squad, who is to remain nameless. I thought it was hilarious, I clapped!

“I knew then and there that we had signed a strong character. That was the personality – it wasn’t until the following month that I saw the player.

“Patrick came on as a substitute against Sheffield on Wednesday and almost immediately played a 30-yard diagonal pass to the wing.

“Highbury was overwhelmed. There was applause, a chorus of ‘oohs’ and I knew we’d signed a special player.”