He comes from Senegal ... he's dumped on Arsenal

But after Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Valencia, Standard Sport broke the news that Vieira was unhappy at the club, whom he felt had shown a lack of ambition by letting good players go.

Cue another talk with Wenger, more mollifying words, and Vieira stayed. In the FA Cup Final, Vieira displayed the full, remarkable range of his talents.

He showed that, uniquely in the bruising world of midfield combat, he is able to tough it out with the toughest yet also demonstrate dancing feet, balance, grace and devastating passing. He is 6 ft 4ins tall, and built like a light-heavyweight, but he moves like a featherweight.

Arsenal lost that Final, however, and Vieira was unhappy again. Time for more talks, in which Arsenal promised him yet another pay rise and yet another contract extension. Now Arsenal have learned from today's Sun newspaper that Vieira definitely wants to leave Arsenal.

He has given an interview so venomous in its content about the club and their players that it is difficult to imagine how they can ever hope to select him again.

Clever that, isn't it? Monsieur Roger, the agent who helped Nicolas Anelka get away from Arsenal and is providing the same service for Sylvain Wiltord, is not stirring up discontent for the money, you understand. Oh no. Vieira says in The Sun: "Marc will get only 10 per cent of my salary. That's how strong our friendship is. Money doesn't come into it."

Only 10 per cent? That's all right then.

Actually, it isn't really about money. It is about showing loyalty to a club who have shown loyalty to you.

It is about showing some sort of reciprocal affection for the fans who have idolised you.

If Vieira joins Roy Keane in the Manchester United midfield, the rest of the Premiership might as well pack up and go home.

But if football players under contract can talk themselves into a lucrative move just by giving poisonous interviews then the game might as well pack up.