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Why we shouldn’t worry about Fabio Vieira

By Toby Hill

Arsenal's Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira celebrates scoring the team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on September 18, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira celebrates scoring the team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on September 18, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s summer signing Fabio Vieira has become the cause of concern for some fans, but the Portuguese midfielder just needs time.

Vieira, who joined the Gunners in June, has started all of Arsenal’s Europa League matches, but only once in the Premier League. The 22-year-old marked his full Premier League debut with a goal against Brentford; an effort from distance to beat David Raya.

Sharing a name with a certain Arsenal legend was always going to build pressure. However, while they share a surname, the players are not synonymous in playstyles. Fabio Vieira’s delicate build and lack of physicality is something that Patrick did not suffer with, but it has become a worry for the Arsenal fans.

Why Arsenal fans shouldn’t worry about Fabio Vieira

Vieira, an export from the Porto academy, is more similar to Martin Odegaard than his namesake. Nonetheless, while the comparisons are a compliment to the 22-year-old, this makes it harder for Vieira to pave his way into the Arsenal side.

Despite a draw against Southampton this weekend, Arsenal have been in fine form and have topped the Premier League table after 11 matches. Odegaard has played a key role in the success this season: Vieira needs time to adjust before we can expect similar performances and he can be a serious competitor for the skipper’s starting berth.

Having two interchangeable players with alike qualities is not a bad thing: Manchester City are the clearest example of this. Mikel Arteta, a managing disciple of Pep Guardiola, will be looking to imitate his former boss with the strength in depth that City currently have by recruiting players like Vieira into the side; an understudy of Odegaard of sorts.

And with this growth that Vieira will bring, time is needed. The Portuguese midfielder is only 22 years old: not quite a youngster, but not quite the finished product. The Europa League offers Vieira a chance to showcase his worth and earn his place in the Premier League starting XI; but, for now, there is little to worry about.

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