Fabio Vieira was one of the players who failed to impress last season. The 2022 signing from FC Porto should have excelled last season, based on his £34 million fee to join Arsenal. His price tag aside, the 23-year-old’s stats in his final months with the Portuguese powerhouse, which saw him record 14 assists in 27 games, earned him the moniker “Assist King,” leading Gooners to assume they had landed a top player.
However, in 22 league games last season, Vieira failed to shine or impress, and many questioned his abilities. Given that it was his first season in the Premier League and he was coming off an injury when he joined Arsenal, it was understandable why he didn’t shine.
Even so, next season he ought to step up and check in on his defensive aspect of the game, as Arteta asked of him last season: “Every time he’s around the box, he’s a real threat, really intelligent player, and brave. In defending, he still needs to do more and understand it more because organisation is key when you play against good teams in ball possession.”
So, where does the Portuguese fit in the Arsenal jigsaw puzzle, even as we urge him to step up? Martin Odegaard is undroppable; Kai Havertz and Smith Rowe are most likely ahead of him in the pecking order to play alongside Odegaard as the other No. 8. Trossard is also a candidate for the attacking midfielder position.
It will be difficult for Vieira to break into the Arsenal starting lineup, despite a good showing yesterday against Monaco, and if Arteta is wise, perhaps he should allow Fabio to leave on loan, hopefully to an English club, in a move that can help him adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
After which, who knows? When he returns, he might be ready to compete for a starting spot at Arsenal.
Darren N
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I thought arsenal should have some extra players because of injury we should keep our prayers remains at the club should be in case of January or any injury
I’ve been very critical of him; the clincher for me was the home game against Southampton last season. He started that match in the Xhaka role and I thought, ‘well, if you that ineffectual at home against the bottom team in the league’, you really don’t have a future at a club with our ambitions’. That said, I was at the Emirates yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. I still think he is physically weak against robust challenges, but overall, it was his best game yet for Arsenal. We might need a big squad for the ECL campaign, so maybe give him one more season to prove himself…
Veira is only 23. He will get better. The just need some gym work. The talent is undeniable.
I think we should keep him he is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, pace and skilful.
He has shown great improvement lets give hime a chance
Sell
We’ll need another left-footed AM to make diagonal passes from the right side of the pitch if Odegaard gets injured and Smith-Rowe won’t be able to do that kind of job
Aside from that, Vieira showed some improvements in our last pre-season game and it would only be fair if he gets his second season to compete with Odegaard
Jesus is injured, so we may need Havertz to play false-nine sometimes instead of assigning him in Odegaard’s position. Basically, we’ll need to keep our midfielders, because we might have more than sixty games to play
Gai, I think Havertz will do well playing in Odegards position because of his football holding skills and his height he is also an intelegent player. Fabio is another choice ifhe can improve his physicality a bit. The Boy is actually skillful and he has goals in him. I just don’t know how he will fit in the squad numbers..
I think so about Havertz, but we need him for other tasks. Vieira will be required as a squad rotation player
Surely loan him out to a decent club (PL or foreign first tier) where he can play 3500+ minutes next season. It’s a no-brainer.
Then he can come back challenging the in-house players.
As for me he really impressed me on the pre season and the Emirates cup ..his confidence has started coming back to him….let him stay ..it will be worth it…
Its a no brainer, loan Vieira to Sheffield or one of the bottom half teams that enables him to get his feet properly wet.
He is a very talented player. Up to the manager to get the best out of him and justify the hefty fee he paid for him.
Loan him immediately, not at the level we need. Frail, timid in play, and not a defensive bone in his body.
He’s far behind ESR, behind Nelson on the wing, and a joke in CM as an 8.
Loan him to see if he can have an impact or improve, otherwise sell him.
Pepe got blasted his first year despite contributing goals and assists.
In comparison, Vieira had all kind of excuses made for him by some fans and even Arteta.
Martinelli at 18 years old scored 10 goals under Emery, ESR had 10 goals coming off the bench, Saliba had a marvelous first year.
He is too weak physically, and I feel there are questions regarding his mentality after his dire year last season. He showed nothing and was the worst in the first team by far, no doubt.
Don’t see where he fits, and looks every bit a waste of 34 million. Money could have been spent more wisely than on him, a luxury Ozil 2.0 minus the talent or resume’.
@Durand, We would hear a Waste of 65million by the end of this season.😕
Seems Arteta is Overspending on Players that are Not guaranteed a Place in the first 11. 🤨😒
Lokonga was 17million.
Isn’t this the third or fourth article on this underwhelming player this off season? Why bother. He is a non factor and will only drag us into mediocrity. More critically, how serious is Jesus’s injury. I felt last season that he was rushed back too quickly, which also partly explains why he had such difficulty beating his man and spent so much time on the floor. This type of knee injury would be a set back for any player but for Jesus it could impact the remainder of his career because his style of play depends on his agility and mobility. Even with this disability Jesus at least kept trying to stay involved in a game, Viera on the other hand was the invisible man.
And these guys shouting on top of their rooftops “loan him” who told you those teams are willing to loan him? Most of those “small teams” prefer physical players by the way which even makes Vieira’s situation more complicated. The only thing he can do is use every little opportunity he gets to showcase his abilities and impress the gaffer, I think if he doesn’t improve he’s another one we will tear up his contract and let him go for free.
Get rid of ASAP
Please loan him out asap to any English FA club.
Fabio Viera played very well against Monaco. Partly because he was forced to lead and take action creatively with absence of Odegaard, Havertz and Trossard. He seems too shy and over respecting his peers. He needs a mean punch to produce a mean streak. He needs more game time in this role. As the lead creator. Sink or swim type of training.
Let’s face it……. he’s not very good or at least not particularly exceptional at what little he can do! Maqhuinos, Lakonga, Tavares all seemed to have little or negative impact at Arsenal and all have been shipped out pending developments!
I don’t see why this guy isn’t out on loan yet with the view of improving himself. I haven’t seen one game as yet where I’ve seen him do anything special or, have gotten a glimpse of some fantastic potential that might just be in hiding at the present.
He’s definitely doesn’t have any standout qualities or potential to keep him at arsenal. There are far too many others head and shoulders above him that can operate in similar roles!
A loan spell will be befitting as he brings nothing to aid arsenal’s progression!
Take the hit on him and get rid. Not the quality we need and an absolute waste of 35 mil.