Sol red card only strengthened us - Vieira

Arsenal began the new Barclaycard Premiership season much as they ended the last – down to 10 men, with a sense of grievance and having a point to prove.

However, the one great difference came in the shape of Patrick Vieira, who so damagingly missed the title run-in through injury, but is now fit and playing with a new-found freedom after settling his future at the club.