EXCLUSIVE: Mikel Arteta is fighting to keep one Arsenal star this summer
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is making a determined effort to retain Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira, despite growing speculation that the player might be sold this summer.
Vieira, who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2022 from FC Porto for a reported fee of £34 million including add-ons, has struggled for game time with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice ahead of him in the pecking order.
Injuries have significantly limited Vieira’s appearances in the just-concluded season, contributing to his relatively low game time. This has fueled rumours about his potential departure, especially with teammates like Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey expected to leave the club this summer. Vieira’s perceived lack of trust from the manager has only added to these speculations.
Arteta’s support seems to be pivotal, with the manager believing Vieira has untapped potential. “The Arsenal manager is the main reason why the club won’t let the midfielder leave this summer. Fabio Vieira also wants to stay; he’s happy in North London. 2024/25 is when Fabio Vieira truly arrives,” the post continued.
The former Portugal youth international had a promising debut season with the Gunners, scoring two goals and providing six assists in 33 appearances. However, his second season was marred by injuries and limited game time, resulting in just one goal (a penalty) and three assists in 16 appearances.
Arteta has publicly acknowledged his mistake in not playing Vieira more often. “That was my fault,” he admitted, as reported by the Daily Mirror. “I said many times you know that I haven’t played him enough and that he hadn’t had enough room in the team maybe, with the competitions that we play to participate more. But we see every day the talent that he’s got and what he can bring to the team – I was really happy with the performance at the weekend.”
