Vivas was born in Granadero Baigorria, Santa Fe, Argentina. He began his professional footballing career with Quilmes. After three years with Quilmes, he then joined Boca Juniors. Vivas in all played 98 games and scored three goals for Azul y Oro.[4][2]
Move to Europe
Vivas then made his move to Europe, joining Lugano of the Swiss League on loan. He went on to make ten appearances during his stay at the club. Arsenal eventually signed him from Boca Juniors for £1,600,000 in August 1998.[5][6][4]
Vivas was at first used as backup for established full-backs Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn while at Arsenal. He started 18 games and played as a substitute for another 18 matches during his debut season at Highbury. Vivas scored his first and only goal for the Gunners against Derby County in the League Cup.[7][5] He had a setback when he missed a penalty in a shootout as Arsenal crashed out of the 1999/2000 League Cup to Middlesbrough.[8]
Vivas was loaned out to the La Liga outfit Celta Vigo halfway through the 1999–00 season. As Arsenal had signed Oleh Luzhnyi and Sylvinho in the summer of 1999, he went on to mainly appear as a substitute at the club. With him being unable to attain regular playing time, Vivas left Arsenal at the end of the 2000–01 season. Altogether he played 69 games for Arsenal, with 40 as a substitute, scoring one goal. Vivas then joined Serie A team Inter Milan on a free transfer. At Inter, Vivas found it hard to break into the first team. After two seasons with the Nerazzurri, he left European football to return to his native Argentina.[2][4][5]
Early retirement
He went on to sign up for River Plate where he spent a solitary season. Vivas then made a return to Quilmes, where he brought an end to his playing days in 2005.[2][4]
For the 2013–14 season, Vivas once again returned to Quilmes, as manager on this occasion. International headlines were made in October 2013 when Vivas attacked a fan in the stands, and subsequently resigned from his post.[9]
