If there is one player poised for a huge season, it is Fabio Vieira. Two seasons into his Arsenal tenure, we have yet to see him at his finest. Injuries have been a barrier to his progress. However, all indications suggest that he is currently fit and eager to show what he’s all about. Although reports suggest that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a lot of faith in him, it will be fascinating to watch how he breaks into this Arsenal team.
According to Steve Kay, who was reacting to the news that Vieira won’t leave, the Portuguese playmaker will play a key role in Arteta’s plans for next season, with the Spaniard seeing the former FC Porto player as a vital component of his project.
“I was excited when I heard it. I’ve always known that Arteta is a big fan of Vieira. From what I know he loves him to pieces from what I’ve been told he’s a big part of Arteta and Arsenal’s plans next season,” said Kay.
“I’m a big fan of him, when he was in Portugal this was the next big thing, I’m glad we’re keeping him. Let’s hope he gets a chance next season, and it looks like he’s going to.”
Vieira is unquestionably a top talent. Prior to joining Arsenal, those who watched him regarded him as a promising player. After a season in which he racked up six goals and 14 assists in 27 games for £34 million, some hailed his capture by Arsenal as a coup. Remember the 2-2 tie with Fulham last season? If not for Vieira, the Cottagers would have thrashed us. Vieira was introduced after we were down a goal, but every move Fabio Vieira made had a clear goal in mind: to help Arsenal score.
Fabio Vieira’s ability to finish attacks in the final third was never more evident than in that game, when he won the penalty that brought Arsenal level before providing the assist that gave Arsenal the lead. That game could have easily ended in an Arsenal victory, but Fulham equalised late on to take all three points. In the new season, I hope to see more of Vieira in the mode he was in in that game versus Fulham.
Sam P
i was interested to see him pop up on the right wing in a game late in the season, can’t remember which one
if ESR and Nelson go then clearly Vieira has to stay
creativity is going to vital for us this season as the low block could become even more common, breaking the low block is our biggest challenge this season
while not at all what you would call a natural winger, when confronted by the low block there is no space to run anyway (people say Martinelli poor season due to no Xhaka, i think more to do with no space for his pace against a low block), more about nimble feet and eye for a pass, Vieira could play a crucial new role
I would say Arsenal successfully addressed the low-block challenge(which was a problem in 22/23) in the season 23/24. The problem we had in the last season was the mid-block employed by the likes of Fulham,Villa,Porto and Bayern to great effect. That said,pace is the solution to a mid block. We need more pace and directness in our attack and should look to move the ball faster against the mid-blocks. I agree that Viera has the skill set to unlock stubborn mid blocks, but he needs runners ahead of him.
Vieira is not suited to the premier league, this year will be no different.
It took Arteta time to learn that Jesus is not a striker and Zinchenko is not a LB.
He will see Vieira is not a solution either.
Based on the headline, I hope it is his breakout season. SamP has given just one example of Vieira showing what he can do and there have been a couple of blistering goals but that is not enough reward for what was needed from him and not at the transfer fee paid.
While everyone seems to be focusing on every other position, I’ve been perhaps most concerned about what happens if Odegaard goes down or when he simply must be rested. I’m trying to have confidence that this is something under consideration by MA. Could Vieira allow for a small enough drop-off? Throw Nwaneri into the fray? I’d love to know their thoughts at this point. If Martin went down at this point I’d have a mini panic attack.
BB I have a wild suggestion and most people won’t agree but I’ll say it anyway. I believe Saka can deputise Odegaard to a reasonable level (assuming we sign someone who can play on the RW). He has the skill and intelligence to play centrally in my opinion. Alternatively,the club could sign a versatile player who can cover RW and Right midfield- a left footed Trossard if you will.
It might be a possibility in a pinch. imo, Saka (like Rice) is one of those talents who could play just about any position and do at least reasonably well. So many people went crazy when the suggestion was made that he cover at left-back for England when the team was so obviously unbalanced. I believed the fact of the matter was that he was needed more in that position than as RW as England had many viable ways to replace him on the right. Unfortunately, very few people try to think outside the box like you have here.
Bukayo is good in tight spaces and defenders would have to respect his quickness and Arjen Robben like left shooting. These factors would perhaps give Bukayo the advantage needed to allow his skills to flourish in the #10 role. I actually remember at least one occasion with Vieira playing on the right wing and as I was focused on him I believe he really did well if memory serves.
I did think years ago that saka would end up playing CM (less confident of that now tbh), but he’s still a bit different to odegaard – both can dribble in tight spaces and shoot from outside the box but I don’t see the same quality of incisive passing from saka as we get from odegaard. I think saka could play the “xhaka role” pretty well in a midfield with odegaard, but I don’t think he could replace him in our team effectively.
Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he does when he gets the opportunity (and Arteta can’t really afford to have a fit £34m player warming the Arsenal bench for too long).
It feels like Viera’s been there for a while now, so Arteta should have had enough time to check him out well. If he’s still backing him then he must figure that he’s capable of playing a role. Viera has shown a spark of something special, so it’s possible he could still have a meaningful contribution to make at Arsenal.
Doubt it. Last season was supposed to be the season he took off, according to Arteta. he is not good enough, or strong enough.
One of the most creative players in the squad. I’m really hoping he can kick on because we’ve seen,albeit on rare occasions,his ability to deliver perfect passes and crosses into dangerous areas. His chemistry with Martinelli could also get the best out of the Brazilian who struggled at times last season.
I don’t have issues with his physicality. Some folks are leaner by nature and don’t put up much weight and bulk but are tough as nails.
If he gets his technique right and a bit of the gamemanship to get fouls near the box, he could be our own Bernardo. Could be is the key word here, he isn’t there yet. But he has some skills that our squad lacks, one is a goot shot taker from beyond the box and could be a dead ball specialist. He is arguably our best shooter from outside the box. And I think his range of passing is better than Odegaard so half space crosses, switches in the box, free kick threat, and a goal threat from range is what Viera has. He needs to be clever. If he can draw a foul when tackled to dispossess, he could be untouchable and given more space in fear of not giving away a foul near the box. He could actually be a crucial piece this season.