He was an early Highbury example of youthful promise unearthed by Wenger and turned into a superstar. Reluctantly sold by Paris St Germain in controversial circumstances in 1997 for a fee of £500,000 (Arsenal exploited the French system whereby prospects have to sign their first professional contract with the club who develop them. They cannot sign for another French club, yet there is nothing to stop them joining one abroad) he made an immediate impact in his short spell at Highbury. Largely due to Vieira and Anelka, Wenger developed a reputation as a discoverer of exceptional young stars, but until Cesc Fabregas broke through in the autumn of 2004 no comparable youthful talent emerged. Many came to the training ground in the hope that they would become good enough for the first team only to slip quietly away having failed to make the grade. The most extreme example is Anelka’s countryman Jérémie Aliadière. Signed in 1999 as a 16-year-old, he did not leave the club until 2007, two years short of a testimonial.
