Fergie explodes as Gunners sweat on Vieira
However, while that duo cost a combined total of some £37 million, Arsenal have perhaps secured the best bargain of all in snapping up Spanish prodigy Cesc Fabregas for a fraction of the price.
As the Gunners again displayed their convincing title credentials in sweeping aside Aston Villa, the likes of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp and Jose Reyes all played starring roles.