Ian Wright says Arsenal fans didn’t want Fabio Vieira ‘anywhere near the team’ last season, but he has now changed their minds.
After a number of cameo appearances off the bench, which resulted in the 23-year-old registering a number of assists, he started Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Everton on Sunday.
It was a positive display from Fabio Vieira, with Wright adding that he is now being rewarded for his strong performances, not just this season, but from pre-season also, as he told Premier League Productions (17/09/23 at 4:20 pm).
The 2022 summer signing could have had an assist to his name when he brilliantly slipped through Gabriel Martinelli to score at Goodison Park.
But Eddie Nketiah, who was involved in the build-up, came into the picture from an offside position and the goal was ruled out.
Either way, it’s Mikel Arteta proving that, if you make an impact from the bench, then there is a place for you in the XI.
Fabio Vieira’s change in form
“As a player, you want to be rewarded for what you are doing,” said Wright. “Last season, Arsenal fans didn’t want him anywhere near the team. They didn’t think he was good enough.
“He started the pre-season brilliantly. He has come on now and made an impact. You have to reward these players, at some stage.
“There is no time for sentiment. His (Arteta) job is to win the Premier League title. He has to find a formula. If someone is in form, then he has to play.”
Arsenal in the Champions League
It was Kai Havertz who dropped out of the XI for the win over Everton, with the club’s summer signing struggling for form.
Yes, the fixture list is starting to pile up for Arteta, but will he keep Vieira in the XI against PSV in the Champions League and Tottenham on Sunday?
In truth, the left-footed playmaker deserves those chances because he isn’t doing much wrong, at the minute.
The post Ian Wright says Arsenal fans didn't want 23-year-old 'anywhere near XI', now he's performing appeared first on HITC.
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