Danny Murphy raises Vieira concern ahead of Arsenal v Manchester City

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Former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy has expressed a concern over Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira.

Fabio Vieira has produced some encouraging performances so far this season. The 23-year-old has provided two assists for his Arsenal teammates and looks to have grown in confidence. 

Arsenal paid £34 million to sign Vieira from Porto in the summer of 2022. The player has huge talent and vast potential, but struggled to adapt to the physical demands of Premier League football during his first season at the Emirates Stadium.

At just 5’7” and with a slight frame, Vieira is never going to be a physical powerhouse. However, he has gradually become more resilient and capable of imposing himself on matches in the English top flight. 

However, Danny Murphy still feels that Vieira has further room for improvement in this regard. The 46-year-old made 417 Premier League appearances in his playing days, and knows what it takes to compete in that environment. 

Discussing Vieira with the Daily Mail, Murphy said, “when Fabio Vieira replaced Saka against Lens, it didn’t work and he wouldn’t be what I was looking for in a match as intense as this one. He is gifted but still relatively lightweight.”

Vieira must prove he’s no weak link

Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon in what will certainly be an intensely physical and combative test. Vieira may struggle to cope in such an environment, but equally, these are the challenges he needs to take on if he is to progress and develop as a player.

It will be fascinating to see if Mikel Arteta names the former Portugal under-21 in his starting XI, or how he uses the player if he makes it onto the pitch at all. 

With question marks over the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, there is certainly a likelihood that Vieira will be handed his chance to make an impact against the reigning Premier League champions. He needs to then show that he can make his presence felt and won’t be bullied.