The Need For A Thug

The sale of Patrick Vieira was significant for 2 reasons, the first is that it was the end of a glorious nine year era in which PV4 was one of the best players in the world, and the second is that we have lost the only midfield general we had.

Vieira had the ability to break up play in one instant and in the next he'd be driving forward, chest puffed out, fire in his belly and desire in his eyes. It was an awesome sight.

Although he hadn't been performing to the best of his abilities over the last few years he still had the leadership qualities that you need in a team, he could still inspire his troops to great things, the youngsters looked up to him, wanted to do well for him, wanted his praise. This is something we are sadly missing, a big brute of a man. We need another Paddy.

With most teams these days adopting the 4-5-1 formation, the need for a strong central midfield has never been so evident. With a packed midfield, your main men need to be stalwart and made of steel, an immovable object who's resolve will never waiver. Gilberto was billed to come out of the shadow of the big man and step up to the plate, unfortunately he has been found wanting, his tackling has been fine but his distribution poor.

We need something fresh and new to spice things up in the middle of the pitch, we need a massive bloke with a physical pressence that would make most other players crap in their pants just to see him bearing down upon them, we need a player who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drag it kicking and screaming to a result.

There are a number of players who fit the bill but there's no point in speculating, ultimately it will be Wenger's decsion whether he brings in new talent or not, but he needs to recognise that we need a player to brutalise the opposition.