Fabio Vieira scored his first goal for Arsenal against Brentford, giving Mikel Arteta another attacking option.
Fabio Vieira scored his first goal for Arsenal against Brentford.
The Porto playmaker was signed in the summer but has yet to play. Martin Odegaard’s late withdrawal gave him the chance on Sunday. In the captain’s absence, Vieira took over the Gunners’ attack and scored from 25 yards.
Vieira is highly-rated despite not having a national team cap. Despite this, the north Londoners spent over £30m on him in the summer. Arteta is impressed by the 22-year-adjustment. old’s
Said “I think he’s improving. Unfortunately, he missed preseason due to injury. We know his talent and what he can bring to the team. To do it against Brentford on his debut is different. His character and qualities shone through.”
Soon, Arteta will have to decide whether to keep Vieira in his starting XI or make him a substitute. Odegaard has been club captain this season.
Smith Rowe, who also missed the game due to injury, has struggled for fitness all season and has seen his minutes limited. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka flank Arteta’s attacking quartet.
Gabriel Jesus leads the line, with Odegaard as No. 10. Vieira, Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah have been benched. Arsenal has won six of seven games, so their lineup and system are working.
As Pep Guardiola’s No. 2 at Manchester City, Arteta knows how to win while changing personnel. Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish rotate in various attacking roles.
When Arteta was his assistant, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane pushed for starts, resulting in regular changes to United’s starting XI. Guardiola wanted to keep the team united and happy, not create a divide between starters and subs.
City’s boss said: “Handle the non-selected guys so the group can function as a unit. Managing the non-players will make you happy at work. If the dressing room is a mess, you can’t help.”
Arteta praised Vieira’s flexibility, saying he deserved to start against Brentford. The Arsenal manager is still deciding his best position but liked him centrally.
he asserted “Still undecided. In the two attacking midfield spots. He’s also played off the side, so it depends on his unit and side relationships and where he’s more comfortable. Today’s role suited him well.”
