Patrick Vieira: Arsenal legend asked to pick between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho

Arsenal legend would surely pick his former manager...

(Getty Images)

Patrick Vieria is one of Arsenal's all-time greats.

The galloping Frenchman played more than 400 matches for the Gunners, winning the Premier League three times and the FA Cup on four occasions.

He was the captain of Arsenal's 'Invincibles', the team that went unbeaten to win the division in 2003-04.

Easily among the elite of midfielders to have played in the UK over the last 20 years, Vieria then went on to win three titles in Italy and another FA Cup when he returned to the Premier League with Manchester City.

He has played under both Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, at Internazionale, and was asked in an interview with The Times who was the better manager as he named a team made up of players he had played with.

Despite playing under Wenger for nine years and Mourinho just two, he gave a surprising answer.

"Jose," he said, in an answer sure to anger Arsenal fans. "He's the manager who had more influence on me.

"Why? Because he was the one who impressed me most on his work ethic. He knew everything about the opposition, the strength, weakness.

"His detail was unbelievable; everything was so clear about what he wanted from each player. I don't know what happened at Chelsea but he always got the best out of his players.

"Arsene is more concentrated on his own team. He gives freedom to players to express themselves. It's a different style."

Arsenal fans were not happy with his answer:

Vieria, now manager of New York City FC, says he has not spoken to Wenger "in quite a long time".