Arsenal expected Fabio Vieira to kick on and compete with Kai Havertz this season, but things haven’t gone to plan so far.
Mikel Arteta mostly likes to keep the same starting lineup, but injuries have forced him to make plenty of changes this season. Vieira, however, has still not started as many games as he would’ve liked, and that should tell you what the Arsenal boss thinks of him.
Arsenal expected Fabio Vieira to kick on this season
Arsenal signed Fabio Vieira from Porto for £34 million in June last year (Sky Sports).
The 23-year-old is a special talent. He is excellent with the ball at his feet, can play in multiple positions, and has the ability to create and score goals consistently.
In his final season at Porto, Vieira scored seven goals and provided 16 assists in just 21 starts in all competitions. That convinced Arsenal to sign him last summer.
Vieira’s first season in England was always going to be difficult. He started only 14 games in all competitions and finished the season with two goals and six assists.
The midfielder had a solid pre-season last summer and The Athletic claim Vieira was ‘earmarked as someone to compete with Havertz‘ in this campaign.
The Gunners hoped that after a year in England, he would finally kick on, but that hasn’t really happened, has it? His red card against Burnley before the international break has just made things worse.
Vieira can still become a star for Arsenal
Fabio Vieira has shown flashes of brilliance at Arsenal so far.
The midfielder has everything that you’d want in a number 10, but lack of consistent game time combined with the physicality of the Premier League has made it difficult for him.
However, Vieira is still only 23 years old, and with more opportunities and experience in the coming months, he could fulfil his potential.
But, if he fails to take whatever chances he gets from now until the end of the season, Arsenal may have to consider their options next summer.