Arsenal ‘invincibles’ Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires & Sol Campbell among 123 released Premier League players

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By Luke Reddy 22 May 2011 22:32:00 West Ham United relegated to Championship Related Links Teams Players West Ham caretaker boss Kevin Keen has again underlined his desire to take the Hammers hot seat on a full-time basis despite watching his side fall to a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland on the final day. The Upton Park faithful watched their already relegated side brushed aside by goals from Boudewijn Zenden, Stephane Sessegnon and an injury time strike by Cristian Riveros but the caretaker boss said his audition for the job wasn’t just today, but as soon as he took the helm from the sacked Avram Grant. Quizzed on his audition for the role, Keen said: “It started as soon as I got it, I conducted myself quite well, but it was a tough ask today, as a club and a team were weren’t up to it

By Matt Scott

16 Jun 2011 13:15:00

Thierry Henry, Robert Pires - Arsenal Premier League Champions 2004 (Getty Images)

Thierry Henry, Robert Pires – Arsenal Premier League Champions 2004 (Getty Images)

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Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell are among the high-profile players included on a list of individuals who have been released by Premier League clubs.

The trio were key components of Arsenal’s title-winning 2004 side, which went unbeaten in the league. Seven years later and the former Gunners find themselves unattached, but they are in good company as a list on the Premier League’s official website contains the names of 123 players who have been released from their contracts and will now be looking for new clubs.

Many are youngsters who have failed to make the grade but some big names feature amongst the casualties.

West Ham and Birmingham have both seen international players leave following relegation to the Championship.

Seb Larsson, Lee Bowyer, Kevin Phillips and James McFadden are among those leaving St Andrew’s while Matt Upson, Danny Gabbidon and Lars Jacobsen will not call Upton Park home next term.

Manchester United have released Owen Hargreaves after the Canadian-born English international failed to prove his fitness to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Similarly, Tottenham have let injury-plagued Jonathan Woodgate leave White Hart Lane.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have seen no dramatic departures, but Javier Garrido joins Vieira through the exit door at Manchester City.

John Carew and Eidur Gudjohnsen, who both had spells at Stoke, were released by Aston Villa and the Potters respectively.

Not all players will be too worried at their inclusion, however. Johan Elmander is featured despite agreeing a free transfer to Galatasaray, while Wolves veteran Jody Craddock is set to be offered a new deal at the club.

Players such as Nigel Reo-Coker, Bolo Zenden and Zoltan Gera have also been sent packing despite featuring regularly for their clubs last season.

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Arsenal ‘invincibles’ Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires & Sol Campbell among 123 released Premier League players