Ian Wright opens up on Roy Keane Patrick Vieira feud

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has opened up on the preparation made by Patrick Vieira before facing Manchester United legend Roy Keane.

Both of them were among the best in the world in their positions and showed impeccable leadership. United held the upper hand during the time in spite of Arsene Wenger winning three titles.

The duo were at the forefront of our heated rivalry with the Gunners in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The images of the duo having a go at each other at Highbury in 2005 is now a part of Premier League folklore.

Speaking about the incident 15 years later, Wright has lifted the lid on what transpired on that famous day.

Speaking on the Match of the Day: Top 10 rivalry (h/t Football.london), Wright revealed that Vieira psyched himself up in the days leading to the match.

“I remember Patrick’s demeanour and intensity changing in training in the week leading up to the game against United.”

Both the players were incredible winners and would not take a beating lying down. It is no surprise that the rivalry flared up the way it did.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also gave his two cents on the incident by claiming that Keane was eager to go onto the pitch and settle the fight on the field.

Keane was a no-nonsense player who took no rubbish from anyone around him. He led from the front and held the fort when things got rough. Having such a rock in your team helped the players around flourish to the best of their ability.

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The early 2000s were the zenith of the United-Arsenal rivalry. The emergence of Chelsea and Manchester City came at the cost of the Gunners who have failed to win a Premier League title since.

United have since gone on to win five more titles, the last one coming in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2012/13.