Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will get the best out of Fabio Vieira as the Portuguese midfielder closes in on a return to action following surgery on a groin injury.
The 23-year-old has been included in the Gunners squad to face his former club Porto on Wednesday and will be hoping to turn the corner on a season that started with promise but has been on hold since mid-November.
The last time the midfielder featured for the first team, he came off the bench against Burnley only to pick up a straight red card for an ugly, late challenge on Josh Brownhill. It seemed to sum up the player’s frustrations since his big-money move to the Emirates in the summer of 2022.
While there’s no doubt Vieira is talented, he’s not had a run of games in his preferred position to really make his mark. Arteta clearly hopes to change that.
In his pre-game press conference, he said: “On Fabio, I’m really happy with him, but at the same time sad because it’s been a tough period for him, especially with the last injury.
“When he had some momentum and performances together, he got injured and that’s broken up again his rhythm like it happened last season. But he’s a player with an enormous talent and we’re going to get the best out of him.”
Arteta also revealed that Vieira was desperate to be a part of the squad to face his boyhood team and that the player’s intimate knowledge of Porto and the tactics of their coach Sergio Conceicao has proved useful in the build-up to the game.
“He was really pushing because he wanted to be here, that’s for sure,” said Arteta.
“And having an insider, someone that has experience and lived the culture and the club, gives you a lot of information.
“It’s very important because in Europe, it’s very important to understand the context of the game; where you’re going, what type of opponent they are, what type of club they are, what type of atmosphere you’re going to be facing. And he gives us a few important information that are relevant for us.”
While Arsenal come into the match as favourites, he knows not to underestimate a Porto side with plenty of European experience.
“I’m really impressed with Porto, I know the manager really well, the club and the history that they have and it’s a team with a lot of experience in the competition,” said the Spaniard.
“They have many qualities in many phases of play. That’s why they are always competitive in domestic and European competitions. It’s a really tough opponent that we’re going to face tomorrow, but at the same time we are very excited.
“It’s been seven years that we haven’t been here and we are all energy and excitement to play the game that we want tomorrow.”
Would be special for him to grab a goal off the bench…
Would be great if he could become our David Silva…
For me he’s the Trossard understudy, but with greater potential than his senior colleauge. Not really a winger because he lacks physicality, not really a 10 because he’s not a buildup player, instead he’s all about the ball striking on either foot, all about the final ball or goalbound effort. He needs to get the ball in the penalty box over and over again and like Trossard, he will deliver goals and assists at an incredible clip. This current dual false 9 system with Kai would suit him down to the ground, just as it suits Trossard.
I like that a lot. I stopped myself because I assumed it would be an unpopular take, but was actually about to write here last night that I see a fully confident and clicking Vieira as a sort of “upgraded Trossard” with the most of the qualities of Tross but slightly better shooting, crossing and vision, but that to get there he needs to acquire Trossard’s insanely high intelligence of movement and anticipation of the opponent, which won’t be easy to the extent that it’s even possible for him. But if he can get even half way there he’ll be… Read more »
Why are we photoshopping alcohol in front of Arteta? I hat did I miss?
*what did I miss
Chapeau!
£
Yeah that’s weird! Not a good look at all in general. Sometimes it’s Coke, now it’s alcohol!
On a Tuesday!!! At least have the decency to keep that for the weekend right?! 🤷🏾♂️
But really, was also my first thought was like “wtf, is that alcohol??” 👀🤔