Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that he has been unfair on attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira.
Arteta made the comments about Vieira after Arsenal’s draw with Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.
The match in Lisbon ended in a 2-2 draw.
Vieira featured for Arsenal.
And Arteta was impressed with the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.
The Arsenal boss has raved about the Portugal Under-21 international, and has admitted that the youngster deserves more playing time than he has got so far this season.
The 22-year-old has made two starts and 14 substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners so far this season.
The playmaker has scored one goal and given two assists in those games.
Vieira has scored one goal and provided two assists in seven UEFA Europa League.
The Portuguese youngster has also played once in the Carabao Cup and twice in the FA Cup for Arsenal so far this campaign.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal playmaker Fabio Vieira
Arteta said about Vieira: “Really happy with him. I think he deserves more minutes than he’s had, especially in the last two months.
“Obviously he had a difficult start because we injured for two months after a surgery and wasn’t at the level that we want.
“You saw tonight he was probably our most dangerous player. He was always making things happen. He’s a player that I absolutely love.”
Encouraging
In our view, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s comments on Fabio Vieira are very encouraging for the attacking midfielder.
They show just how much Arteta rates the youngster.
Now, we know that Martin Odegaard is the creator-in-chief for Arsenal.
And Emile Smith Rowe is also available now after injury.
So, it is going to be tough for Vieira to play week in and week out.
But, Arteta’s comments suggest he will get chances in the coming weeks and months.
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