Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that Fabio Vieira did not have a good game for the Gunners against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has told Arsenal’s official website that, like a number of other players, Vieira found it difficult against the Saints in the Premier League game in North London on Friday evening.
Arsenal were expected to win against a Southampton side who are in real danger of getting relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.
However, the Gunners could only draw 3-3.
Vieira started on the left of a midfield three for Arsenal.
The Portuguese youngster came off for Leandro Trossard on 57 minutes.
The 22-year-old really struggled in the first half and failed to step his game in the second period before he was taken off for Belgian winger Trossard.
According to WhoScored, the 22-year-old took two shots but neither was on target, played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 75%, won one header, took 35 touches, and put in two crosses.
Mikel Arteta on Fabio Vieira for Arsenal vs Southampton
Arteta said: “It was a difficult match for a lot of players but for Fabio, he hasn’t played enough minutes.
“He had good periods but the way the game starts as well, instead of going one or two-nil up, and everything goes in your favour, it starts to go in a much more difficult way. That doesn’t help.”
HITC Verdict: Stay patient
In our view, Arsenal fans should be patient with Fabio Vieira.
Yes, the 22-year-old did not have the best of times against the Saints, but we should not forget that he is not a regular in the first team and does not play week in and week out.
And he is still only 22.
We believe that the Portuguese youngster will improve and get better in the coming years.
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