Source: Daily_Mail
VIDEO SPECIAL: Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira's top five moments as a Gunner
Prize guy: Arsenal's captain Patrick Vieira lifts the FA Cup after his last-ever match for the club in 2005[LNB]Patrick Vieira, Arsenal's former captain and midfield talisman, is preparing to finalise a dramatic deal that would see him swap Serie A leaders Internazionale for a return to the Premier League with Manchester City. [LNB]Vieira entertained the crowds at Highbury for nine years with his unique brand of strength and height combined with real flair and immense confidence - and he could score the odd goal too. [LNB]Don't forget his last kick of a ball for Arsenal was the winning penalty of the 2005 FA Cup Final. He was a champion to the last.[LNB]Ahead of his imminent return, Sportsmail takes a look back at Vieira's five most famous moments. [LNB]Conflict with Roy Keane 1996-2005Vieira will be remembered for a number of thing - his commitment, leadership and tackling but a running theme through his time at Highbury was his rivalry with Manchester United skipper Roy Keane.[LNB]The on-pitch grappling was the fuel for a number of famous verbal jousts - none more so than the altercation in the tunnel ahead of the clash at Highbury in 2005. [LNB]Sportsmail's Graham Poll was there to separate the two who had fallen out over a few words said to Gary Neville just beforehand - Keane ploughed into a four-letter rant but Vieira, calm as ever, stood tight-lipped ahead of the clash the Gunners lost 4-2.[LNB]VIDEO: Because of the strong language, here's a different Keane/Vieira verbal joust[LNB][LNB]Stunner against United - 1997The timing of this goal was crucial as the Gunners looked to transform from pretenders to the Premier League crown to genuine contenders, and who better to do it against than the holders Manchester United. [LNB]Ray Parlour's corner was nodded clear but only as far as Vieira who smashed a right-foot strike from the edge of the area past Peter Schmeichel and in off the crossbar. [LNB]VIDEO: A Pat on the back for this man - goals galore[LNB][LNB]Double Double - 1998 and 2002 Double delight: After beating Everton[LNB]The Gunners won two doubles during Vieira's time at Highbury - an achievement that may never be bettered, if only for the way they won them. [LNB]In 1998, bolstered by the signings such of Emmanuel Petit, Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka, Vieira helped Arsenal to their first title in seven years - sealed with a 4-0 victory over Everton at Highbury.[LNB]And in 2002 he enjoyed his second Premier League and FA Cup double, secured at the home of champions Manchester United. At Old Trafford Sylvain Wiltord's 57th-minute strike won the title - as Roy Keane watched on. [LNB]Club captain - 2002Nobody was ever going to wrest the captain's armband Tony Adams while he was still at Arsenal but, as one legend departed, there was only ever one candidate for his replacement - Vieira. [LNB]It proved to be the making of the player. His occasional bouts of ill-discipline subsided as the responsibility of leading a new generation of young Gunners focused his talent and led to him steering his side through one of their greatest achievements ... the season of the 'Invincibles.' [LNB]The Invincible's season - 2003-2004A remarkable nine months for Arsenal and, in particular, Vieira who captained the Gunners to the title and finished the season with these figures - played 38, won 26, drawn 12, lost none.[LNB]The France International made 29 league appearances that season and scored two vital goals; the opener in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea in February and the first in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham in late April. [LNB]The draw was made sweeter as the point sealed the league for the Gunners - at White Hart Lane, the home of their great rivals.[LNB]VIDEO: Unbeatable - and we know we are[LNB][LNB] Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira arrives for Manchester City medical ahead of shock Premier League returnArsenal eye swoop for Ivory Coast giant Traore - the 'new Adebayor'England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup set to be hit by the big freezeVieira, McMahon, Souness, Keane, Bremner, Scholes, Harris and Ince: Jamie Redknapp remembers a dying breed... the midfield warriorARSENAL FC
