Right now, it’s become clear that Emile Smith Rowe is set to leave Arsenal for Fulham – a departure that many envisioned this summer.
Smith Rowe has been on the periphery of things in north London, a role not befitting of a player of his quality.
Now, Smith Rowe’s departure will create an opportunity for others to step up in Arteta’s midfield.
As well as Arsenal offering Ethan Nwaneri more chances, Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira will now have the opportunity to show his true potential after two quiet seasons thus far.
And to that end, TBR Football understands that Arsenal have turned down several approaches for Vieira this summer.
Vieira only made 17 appearances for Arsenal last season playing just 561 minutes in a campaign that was ruined by injuries.
Mikel Arteta has big plans for Fabio Vieira at Arsenal this season
TBR can confirm that clubs in Germany, Spain and Italy have all made approaches for Vieira, while sides from the Saudi Pro League have also been in contract.
However, sources have confirmed that Arteta has major hopes that the ‘unbelievable’ midfielder can play a significant role for Arsenal this season.
And to that end, Vieira is one of the reasons why Arsenal are willing to part company with the likes of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe.
Perhaps Arteta envisions that Vieira can play minutes as Arsenal’s left sided number eight this season, a position regularly occupied by Declan Rice when he’s playing further forward.
In that scenario, Rice can sit deeper and Martin Odegaard would keep his position on the right, a very attack-minded set up.
But if Vieira simply continues to play back up to Odegaard he isn’t going to play significant minutes, so something has to change.
Vieira definitely has the talent to succeed at Arsenal, but it won’t be an easy task for Arteta to find a role for him in this team.
All that being said Arteta wasn’t impressed by one Arsenal youngster’s passing in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
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