Arsenal fans have been bemoaning the lack of creativity in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal have struggled to create clear goalscoring opportunities in open play at times in recent weeks.
This weakness was on display last time out in the Premier League, as the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium by Everton.
Mikel Arteta insisted that Arsenal deserved to win that match, but ultimately the North London club were made to pay for their lack of guile in the final third, as Martin Odegaard was not at his best.
Arsenal fans debate Fabio Vieira
Odegaard has generally been sensational for Arsenal, but when he is not on top form, or unavailable due to injury, Arsenal have a lack of playmakers who can take up his role in the side.
Allowing both Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe to leave the club in the summer always seemed to be a risk, and many Arsenal fans on X are now convinced that the gamble has backfired on Arteta.
Vieira has been in good form recently, prompting the argument that he should have been kept at Arsenal.
One said that Vieira: “Strikes the ball with so much intent, venomous shots, perfectly weighted passes. My type of baller.”
Another stated that the Portuguese ace is: “The player everyone thinks Odegaard is. Real creator. Final pass killer.”
Vieira returned to Porto on loan in the summer, having struggled to consistently impress for the Gunners.
Whilst the 24-year-old is certainly technically gifted and can pick a pass, he struggled to cope with the physicality of the Premier League and often went missing in matches.
Other Arsenal supporters have not forgotten this.
One claimed: “Fabio Vieira revisionism is INSANE. We legit saw this guy play so many times for Arsenal and do the square root of ZERO. No personality, so weak, easily bullied off the ball. For context, Ethan Nwaneri has already outscored Vieira’s Arsenal total without starting a league game.”
Another added: “That signing was a monumental flop. He just wasn’t good enough period.”
Does Mikel Arteta need more than Martin Odegaard can provide?
Whilst there is certainly an argument to be made that the Gunners lack creative options beyond Odegaard, Vieira had his chance to make himself indispensable at Arsenal and failed to do so.
In the meantime, Ethan Nwaneri has emerged this season and is showing signs that he could provide an internal solution to this issue.
Nwaneri is expected to start against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter final on Wednesday evening and will be keen to send another message to Arteta that he is ready to step up and be trusted with more regular starts.
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