"Smiffy" scored 56 goals in 228 games for Leeds.
Compare that to Heskey who scored 60 in 229 games for Liverpool.
Granted Leeds have been shit for the past couple of seasons but even then he's nowhere near Ruud as far as a goalscorer or even an all-round footballer is concerned.
Arsenal should still challenge strongly in the League with or without Vieira, there's too much class in the squad for that. The dream replacement is probably Xabi Alonso or Baraja, but realistically we might get Maniche or van Bommel with just a few days left till the season kicks off, which mightnt be too bad.
Anyone know anything about this Javier Mascherano chap from River? Apparently all the Argie papers are running the story that he's signing for us. I shoulda payed more attention to the Copa America.