Although Mikel Arteta’s midfield at Arsenal has four traditional choices, their availability has decreased this year, highlighting the team’s desperate need to add a new player as the transfer window closes.
Granit Xhaka’s strong start to the season has led Arsenal to believe they have rediscovered the man they acquired from Borussia Monchengladbach. The freedom has been rapidly diminished as a result of the injury records of Thomas Partey, Mohammed Elneny, and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Given his midfield experience for Manchester City and Ukraine, Oleksandr Zinchenko does offer a less common option, although Arteta hasn’t yet relied heavily on him.
Fabio Vieira was acquired by Arsenal from Porto in the summer, but his skillset is more suited to an attacking alternative than a defensive midfielder or No. 6 position. The 22-year-life old’s in London got off to a slow start due to injury setbacks, but he has lately joined the team, making his Premier League debut against Manchester United as a substitute in the second half before making his complete debut in the Europa League against FC Zurich.
The most he has played in a game since late April was 69 minutes in Switzerland. The Portuguese player is increasing his minutes gradually and has thus far been given the freedom to get used to life in England, even though he was unable to have the impact on the match versus United that Arteta had hoped for, losing by a score of two instead of staging a comeback.
Kevin Campbell, a former Arsenal striker, says he won’t be joining the club anytime soon “It was his first start, and he knew it would be difficult. Look, it wasn’t terrific opposition. And what are they going to do about it, do you know? is to overcome it with tenacity, which is exactly what they accomplished.
“With Vieira, in my opinion, we saw glimmers of excellence. He did have one good trait that we noticed: he released Eddie [Nketiah] for the goal down the left side. displayed good touch. He needs to learn how to play with the guts they displayed in the middle of the field. He now plays for Arsenal. You’re going to get the best of everyone when Arsenal shows up.”
With a flowing and exciting attack in front of him, his ability to thread passes and make delicate decisions will be a significant part of his game as a creator from midfield, who scored six goals but provided 14 assists in 27 league appearances in Portugal last year. Arteta may benefit the most from his performance in deeper roles, but there is still a long way to go, according to Campbell.
“He has to get acclimated to the physicality at the end of the day. He can play, as is well known. People are aware that if you allow him time and room to play, he is a skilled player and will harm you. What are they going to do right away? Stop playing, please. Make sure he can’t raise his head by getting inside of him.
“He’s got a lot to pick up. He must undoubtedly strengthen his body. Considering that it was his first start, I thought it was a decent beginning.”
