Report: Mikel Arteta could use 'struggling' £34m Arsenal player in an entirely new position next season

Since his appointment at Arsenal in 2019, Mikel Arteta has never been afraid of trying his players in new positions or roles.

When he first arrived, Arteta often used Bukayo Saka as a left wing-back for example, attempting to get the most out of the disjointed squad he inherited.

Last season, Jakub Kiwior also played a very unfamiliar role at left-back for Arsenal, attempting to quickly learn how to invert into midfield.

Arteta prefers tactically and positionally versatile players who can solve several problems – explaining why Riccardo Calafiori has arrived at the club.

In a similar vein to Jurrien Timber, Calafiori can comfortably perform in three or four positions, meaning Arsenal will have more unpredictability with their line-ups next term.

Arteta has seemingly always craved this sort of choice, a luxury that perhaps swung the Premier League title in Manchester City’s favour once again last season.

That being said, after Arsenal have concluded their pre-season tour of the US, it seems as if one of Arteta’s current incumbents could set for a change.

Fabio Vieira could be Arsenal’s new competition for Bukayo Saka next season

Having signed for £34m in 2022, Fabio Vieira arrived in north London as an attacking midfielder primarily known for his end product.

However, the Portuguese midfielder has by and large ‘struggled’ at the Emirates, failing to justify why Arteta and Edu seemingly have so much faith in his ability.

Fabio Vieira of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field on...

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

That being said, TBR Football recently shared that Arsenal have rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia for Vieira, perhaps because of their plans for the 24-year-old this season.

Interestingly, all of Vieira’s minutes in the US have come as a right-winger, not in his customary midfield role.

And when sharing their debrief of the game, The Athletic stated their belief that Arteta could be considering a switch for Vieira next season.

As mentioned, Vieira has struggled to impose himself as central midfielder and his left-foot does lend itself to cutting in from the right.

Reiss Nelson could be leaving Arsenal, who played backup to Bukayo Saka last season.

And perhaps Vieira is now being reinvented as a player who can save Arsenal a lot of money in the transfer window this summer.