Funny Arsenal Christmas party story involving Patrick Vieira during the early Arsene Wenger years

Funny Arsenal Christmas party story involving Patrick Vieira during the early Arsene Wenger years
It’s that time of year. Christmas parties are in full swing and footballers are delving into their wardrobes in search of their best Batman and Superman costumes.The traditional knees up involving players of today are usually kept low key, with alcohol off the menu for many – things have definitely changed a lot in the last 20 years and here, talkSPORT.com was reminded about a very funny tale involving an Arsenal get together in 1996.Shortly after Arsene Wenger took over at Highbury, players wanted to head out and celebrate the most wonderful time of year, but the Frenchman was very reluctant to do so, as LeeDixon once told Four Four Two.3

Wenger was reluctant to let his players out for their Christmas party bash, but relented, before slowly making his mark on the team

However,after some convincing from club captain Tony Adams, they were given the green light.“The tradition was we would go out and get absolutely leathered and then recover on our day off,” Dixon explained.Pre-Wenger, Arsenal’s drinking culture was legendary, with players hitting the town for their ‘Tuesday Club’ as they usually had Wednesday off to recover.There was a lot of change when the Frenchman took over as he slowly started to make his mark in north London. New recruits were drafted in from abroad – 21-year-old Patrick Vieira being one of them – where the culture was a little more focused on diet.3

Vieira was signed from Milan for 3.5m in 1996

And when the young midfielder turned up to one Christmas bash in the capital with his car keys, his team-mates were horrified.Asked for an explanation, he said he had driven there to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine before shooting off to prepare for the next training session.It was like he was speaking a foreign language. “The boys weren’t having that,” Dixon added. “So we took his keys from him, and soon Patrick was loving it and dancing on the tables.” Wenger is credited with revolutionising the preparation of players and their diet as squads faced increasingly demanding fixture schedules.Speaking about the boozy nights out, Ray Parlour told the Telegraph in 2013 what the club’s first pre-season trip with Wenger as manager was like.New French lads had come into the team like Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Gilles Grimandi,” he explained.“We worked our socks off and at the end of the trip Wenger said we could all go out. You know what we were like, we went straight down to the pub and the French lads went to the coffee shop.Ill always remember the moment Steve Bould went up to the bar and ordered 35 pints for five of us. After we left the bar we spotted all the French lads in the coffee shop and they were sitting around smoking.I thought: How are we going to win the league this year? Were all drunk and theyre all smoking. We ended up winning the [Premier League and FA Cup] double that year.3

Arsenal won the league and cup double in Wenger’s first full season in charge

---

Report in media claim highly-rated hitman Jack Roles has put to ten his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur. Roles, 18, make announcement of his new deal on his official Instagram account on Monday and it thought to be a three year deal, which is a reward for a brilliant performance at the club's Under-18.
Spurs complete first signing of the summer « Tottenham News

---

West Ham United news: Pablo Zabaleta believes a 'weak

---

Europa League Rennes vs Arsenal: How to watch, live stream, kick-off time, team news for last 16 tie Arsenal head to north-west France for the first leg of their last 16 Europa League tie with Rennes.
Arsenal vs Rennes live stream FREE: Watch Europa League 2019

---

Crystal Palace player ratings vs Watford: Guaita struggles as Eagles suffer FA Cup defeat. Here's how we rated the Crystal Palace players in their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Watford
Crystal Palace 1-2 Watford: Report, Ratings & Reaction as

---

Premier League gameweek 23: How the top-flight table could change this weekend talkSPORT.com takes a look at where every team could potentially end up after this weekend's fixtures By Sean O'Brien
Premier League matchday 10: How the top flight table could

---

Arsenal fans raging as club legend Seaman says he wants Spurs to win Champions League ARSENAL fans went into meltdown after David Seaman admitted he wants bitter rivals Tottenham to win the
Arsenal fans raging as club legend Seaman says he wants Spurs

---

Chelsea will not be able to register any new players in the next two transfer windows after the club's appeal to their FIFA transfer ban was Chelsea FC hit with transfer ban for next 2 windows
Chelsea appeal Fifa transfer ban ruling but will NOT be able

---

Mason Bennett's sensational second-half goal saw Derby County come from behind to beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Pride Park. The flash of brilliance inspired the Rams to turn the game around after
Derby County 2-1 Wigan Athletic: Mason Bennett wonder goal

---

Chelsea vs Derby live stream: TV channel, kick-off time - watch CHELSEA welcome Derby to Stamford Bridge tonight in the Carabao Cup and Express Sport is on hand with all the details including kick
Belgium vs Scotland: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

---

Harry Redknapp makes Champions League final prediction ahead of Liverpool vs Tottenham. Liverpool and Tottenham face off in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday

---

Hirving Lozano gives update on future after Manchester United transfer speculation. PSV star attacker Hirving Lozano is expected to leave the Eredivisie and Manchester United have been linked.
Hirving Lozano believes Man United will move for him, excited

---

FA announce tribute to victims of New Zealand mosque attacks before England's Euro 2020 qualifier against Czech Republic at Wembley. England face Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Wembley
England to honour victims of Christchurch attacks before

---