Collymore doubles down on claim Arsenal should sack Arteta for Vieira

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Stan Collymore has told the Sunday People (3/4; page 50) that he stands by his claim that Arsenal should sack Mikel Arteta and replace him with Patrick Vieira, insisting that the Frenchman will take the Gunners back to the top sooner.

Arteta’s stock as a manager has rarely been higher. Arsenal currently sit fourth in the Premier League and look to be in pole position to finish in the top-four and seal a return to the Champions League.

They do have a game in hand over Tottenham. But they also have a tough run of games to end the campaign. But there is no question that Arteta has done a remarkable job considering how the season started.

From the outside, Arteta has appeared to be on the brink on a couple of occasions. But he is currently silencing a lot of his doubters.

Interestingly however, Collymore has doubled down on his claim that Arsenal need to sack Arteta and replace him with Vieira.

Of course, Vieira will be looking to put a dent in their top-four hopes on Monday when Crystal Palace host the Gunners.

“Three weeks ago, I waded into Mikel Arteta, saying that Arsenal should sack him and appoint Patrick Vieira. I’ve been slaughtered by Gunners fans,” he told the Sunday People (3/4; page 50).

“I’d just like to take the opportunity – on the day before Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park – to repeat what I said: Vieira is a Premier League beast and a born winner. The route back to the top will be faster with him in charge.”

Vieira has a lot more to prove before Arsenal sack Arteta and come calling

Collymore is well-known for having strong opinions about a range of topics. And he does not mind one bit being controversial.

His suggestion that Arsenal should sack Arteta and replace him with Vieira is certainly controversial. Vieira has done an excellent job rebuilding Palace.

But the Eagles are only four points clear of 16th – albeit, having played a couple of games fewer. And Vieira still has plenty to prove before he is in contention for the top jobs.

It would not be a huge surprise if he does go on to manage Arsenal one day. But the Gunners squad are clearly loving life under Arteta right now. And it may well be that they still have some way to go before they reach their ceiling.

Vieira may be the one to take Arsenal forward in the future. But right now, it is hard to justify why the Gunners should sack Arteta, let alone then try and argue that Vieira has to be his successor.