Vieira departure hit us hard says Bergkamp
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-02-07 09:32

LONDON (AFP) - Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp has questioned Arsenal's sale of influential midfielder Patrick Vieira, and moreso why the Frenchman was not replaced at Highbury.
Arsenal, much like the rest of the English Premiership contenders, have been playing second fiddle to Jose Mourinho's domineering Chelsea side this season as the champions charge towards a second consecutive title.

The Gunners curently sit in fifth place, and Bergkamp believes part of the reason in their dip in form lies in Arsene Wenger's agreement to allow Vieira to join Juventus at the end of last season.

"Arsene is intelligent enough to know what that did to the team [in selling Vieira]. People saw how influential Patrick was on the pitch, dominating midfield by himself," Bergkamp told The Times.

"But people also forget how he was off the pitch, how impressive he was in the dressing room, and how important he was for every other player, young and old. I think a lot of people underestimated that."

The 36-year-old added: "When you hear he is going to be sold you try to think of a team without him - and you have the confidence in the board and the coach that they have something in mind.

"You can't just let Patrick go without having someone coming in. But that doesn't happen. You respect Arsene for what he has done; that is for sure, but to tell you the truth you thought something would happen - and nothing did. So slowly you get into the new season and you realise this is going to be a tough one."

Bergkamp admitted the team did not expect to be in this position after Vieira's departure.

"We didn't expect the dip to be this big. It is okay to take one step and two steps forward, but we are not really sure if it just one step back at the moment. It seems more. Somehow we got into a transitional year, and it wasn't necessary."