25 December 2023 , 06:30
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Patrick Vieira had his car keys stolen from him during a legendary Arsenal Christmas party during the Frenchman's early days at Highbury.... all in the name of team bonding!
Arsenal were known for their drinking culture before the days of Arsene Wenger, with players often enjoying a pint or two during the middle of the week. Gunners stalwart Lee Dixon once told FourFourTwo: "The tradition was we would go out and get absolutely leathered and then recover on our day off."
But when the new manager arrived in 1996, the "Tuesday Club" was banished and players were expected to follow healthy diets. Wenger also brought several new players to Highbury and many, including Vieira, were unaware of Arsenal's alcohol-inspired traditions.
And, although the Arsenal squad improved their diet and went on to win plenty of trophies, they still sunk a few beers at Christmas - particularly in those early days - and weren't going to let Vieira leave early doors.
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"The boys weren’t having that," added Dixon. "So we took his keys from him, and soon Patrick was loving it and dancing on the tables."
Wenger did allow players to have a day off from time to time, as fellow Arsenal legend Ray Parlour previously recalled. Parlour told talkSPORT while discussing the team's first pre-season trip under the Frenchman: "There was no drinking for 14 days!
"Imagine the British guys, we were gagging. On the last day, we had a meeting and Arsene Wenger said, 'You’ve been superb, you can do what you like tonight.'
"We’ve already seen the pub we’re going to. There were about five of us who’d seen this pub and couldn’t wait, 'Half-an-hour, be ready in reception and we’ll go.'
"Just before we are going to leave the hotel Gilles Grimandi, one of the French guys, said, ‘Can I come out with you guys?’
Patrick Vieira in his early days at Arsenal (Daily Mirror)"I said, 'Gilles, come out with us, you’ll have a much better time. I know what the French guys will do. They’ll go to the coffee shop, and talk about football.'
"I said, 'No, no, Gilles; we’re going to the pub and going to have a good time.' So he comes along with us.
"Steve Bould was the biggest drinker by a mile… he was always at the front of the queue! He was at the bar and said, 'Hello Gilles, what do you want to drink?'
"He said, 'Can I have a small glass of wine?' So Steve goes to the barman, 'Can I have 35 pints and one small glass of white wine?'
"We had seven each and the first two didn’t touch the sides. Gilles Grimandi is like, 'How can you drink so much and run around?'
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"We walk out of this bar after a quick seven pints, and we’re going to another bar now. And all the French lads were at the coffee bar smoking!
"I thought, 'How are we going to win the league this year when we’re all drunk and they’re smoking?' And we ended winning the double!"