Mikel Arteta has praised Fabio Vieira for his outstanding performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Brentford on Sunday.
After goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus had put the Gunners ahead before the break at the Gtech Community Stadium, Vieira scored his first Arsenal goal just minutes into the second-half to seal the club’s return to the top of the table.
Vieira’s goal was the best of the bunch – a powerful strike from the edge of the box that went in off the post – which highlighted a fantastic showing from the 22-year-old on his first Premier League start.
‘I think he [Vieira] is having a good progression. Obviously he missed the whole of due to injury, that was really unlucky,’ Arteta said in his post-match press conference.
‘But we know his talent, the reasons why we signed him and what he can bring to the team. To do it against Brentford, at this ground, on his debut, is a different story. He showed again his character and his qualities.
‘He’s a creative player. He needs to play with his gut feeling and his instinct. That’s what he needs to do and we need to create as many scenarios for him as possible to put his talent to the service of the team.
‘What I like as well is the way he competes, and the way he went about the ugly part of the game really impressed me.’
Vieira, moved to the Emirates from Porto in the summer for £31million, but it was hard to see where exactly he fitted in Arsenal’s team given the great attacking options Arteta already had at his disposal.
Primarily an attacking midfielder, the Portugal youth International can also play in a deeper role as well as on the wings.
Against Brentford he started as a No.10 in place of Gunners captain Martin Odegaard who missed out due to an injury sustained during training, but Arteta admitted he’s yet to finalise his plans for Vieira.
‘That’s something that still needs to be decided,’ the Arsenal boss added.
‘In those two attacking midfield positions, for sure. He’s played off the side as well, so it’s more about the relations he has in the unit and on his side, and where he is more comfortable.
‘But the position he played today fits him really well.’
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