http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/sport/sport2.shtml VIERA: I WANTED TO STAY AT ARSENAL FOR LIFE Adapted by Martin Samuel ARSENAL did nothing to keep me. I don't know if they needed the money for players or for the new stadium, but it was their decision to sell me this summer, not mine. And the bottom line is they could have kept me. I saw myself finishing my career at Arsenal. I thought I would be at the club for another three years — and I was certainly looking forward to leading the team out as captain for the first time at Ashburton Grove. That is where I pictured myself but something changed. One moment I was on the phone to Arsene Wenger discussing our expectations for the season, the next I was told by David Dein there was an offer from Juventus and the club was neutral about my decision to accept it or not. Neutral? What was that about? There had been offers before, particularly from Real Madrid, and every year it had been made plain that Arsenal wanted me to stay. It was always: ‘You are not leaving, you are not leaving.' Now, suddenly: ‘ We're neutral.' I did not understand it. Staggered That was when I knew it was time to go. Arsenal had a fantastic offer for a 29-year-old. Had they talked to me the way they did the previous summer, there is no doubt I would still be at the club. But they didn't. When I got back from holiday there were messages from friends asking about Juventus but I did not get too excited. There were always rumours and speculation and most came to nothing. Within 24 hours, however, I got a call from Dein. He asked me what I wanted. I was staggered. He told me that Juventus's director-general Luciano Moggi had already been to London to discuss a move. "They're offering a good contract," he said, "and we're obligated to let you know about any approaches." I wasn't too pleased by what I was hearing. It sounded as if the deal had been done already behind my back. As for Arsenal's obligation, they had certainly not felt duty-bound to inform me of everything in the past. This time, apparently, it was different. Then Dein told me: "We are neutral. We are giving you the choice of deciding what you want to do." This was the moment I became cross and from then I struggled to keep the conversation relaxed. I was angry, surprised and upset. I had been at the club nine years. I knew if Arsenal really wanted to keep a player they fought tooth and nail — they didn't leave it up to him to decide. I asked Dein what he meant by giving me the choice. He repeated that the offer was generous. To me, that wasn't the issue. It wasn't about a good or bad contract — the word that swung the decision for me was ‘neutral'. "If that is how it is," I told him, "whatever happens now, I'm off. And I'll go to the club that I choose — because I will be able to choose." After my conversation with Dein (right), the first player I phoned was Dennis Bergkamp. He was even more surprised than me. I also talked to Arsene, who said I had to understand I was not unwanted. I listened, but I didn't want to get hurt. The club had made its feelings known — and now it was a straightforward decision. Dein would not have said the club were neutral unless Arsene felt it, too. Hard Saying goodbye was emotional. Everything had happened so quickly. There was no time to come to terms with it, to view my departure calmly. I went to the training ground to pick up my stuff and the players were waiting to go training — Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Dennis, Robert Pires. It was very emotional, very hard to say goodbye. I didn't know it would be like that, so I wasn't expecting it. Then the players went out to train and I was sitting there alone. I do not tend to show emotion, but those who know me would have understood how upset I felt. I had almost 10 years at Arsenal and a lot of good times. No wonder I found it so hard to speak when it came to close the door. ======== 其實我也覺得球會會做成賣韋拉的決定，溫格是關鍵人。不過韋拉現在在祖文過得很愉 快不是嗎？ --

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