Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is yet to feature in pre-season after reaching the final of Euro 2024 with England, and Mikel Arteta has had to find an alternative.
Finding a backup for Saka has been an issue for Arsenal, with the winger playing nearly every game last season, and it is clear that a quality option to allow for more rotation is needed.
Arsenal have been linked with several wingers including Nico Williams, but for now Arteta has had to try and find an internal solution. Reiss Nelson has played there in pre-season, but he may depart the club this summer.
Forgotten man Fabio Vieira has a point to prove this season, and has impressed in some recent friendlies. The 24-year-old has been used on the right wing in Saka’s position, and shown some promising signs, but there is a stark difference in their styles.
Fabio Vieira has problem when playing at right wing for Arsenal
Vieira came off the bench in Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool in Philadelphia, and whilst he did look bright in flashes, it is clear that his best position is still in midfield.
On the wing, he does not have the explosive pace of Gabriel Martinelli, nor does he have the 1v1 ability of Saka, who is capable of beating fullbacks on both sides, and journalist Charles Watts has now highlighted this problem.
“My only issue with Vieira out wide, especially on the right-hand side, is that he’s so left footed, and I know Saka is as well, but you know that Saka can still go on the outside and get the ball in with his right foot,” he stated on his YouTube channel.
“I’m not so confident that Vieira has that in his game, I don’t think he’s strong enough on his right foot to do that. I do think he played quite well in the second half.”
Can Fabio Vieira still be an option on the right wing for Arsenal?
As things stand with the makeup of the Arsenal squad, Vieira is more likely to gain opportunities on the right wing as Saka’s backup, and there is merit in playing him there as a wide creator.
Vieira has a strong left foot, and he can cut inside onto it to create in the final third, like Saka often does.
His dribbling ability can improve with more game time, but not to the level of Saka. However, this does not mean he cannot be useful.
If Vieira comes on as a substitute on the right, with Martinelli on the other side, he can play in a role which primarily aims to get him on the ball near the edge of the box, and cut inside and create from the right side, rather than attempting to use him as a winger.
Whilst not a natural winger at all, Vieira will hope that Arteta aims to utilise his creativity in the best way possible, but it is also clear that Saka may need a different backup, which means a wide attacker may need to be signed this summer.
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