Fabio Vieira completed his long awaited switch to the Premier League in £30 million move from Porto to Arsenal last month.
Vieira confessed his dream to play in the Premier League after his transfer was finalized with the Gunners. The attacking midfielder will now get to live his dream next season, and has been talking about the same.
Arsenal snapped up Vieira from Porto real quick after his 2021/22 season yielded 7 goals and 16 assists in 39 appearances.
The 22 -year-old midfielder recently explained his qualities that would now help him flourish in English football. Vieira further believes that his style of play resembles to one footballing legend- Lionel Messi.
Fabio Vieira compares his style to Messi; reveals his preferred position
An interesting anecdote from his conversation with The Athletic Vieira said, “I love Ronaldo and Messi. I like Messi because of the style of play. It’s like mine — left-footed, some of the same qualities.
“And Ronaldo not because he’s Portuguese, but because of the hard work, and the mentality. It’s incredible. And he scores many goals. They are incredible players.”
Fabio Vieira now joins a long list of Portuguese players who are plying their trade in the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and the list goes on.
Speaking about same Vieira said, “It’s the best league in the world. England was always very attractive to me. Great Portuguese players have played here: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Moutinho, Joao Cancelo. I want to follow them.
“It was always my dream to play for Porto when I was young. But my real dream was to play in the Premier League.”
On the other hand, a debate is also ongoing so as to which role will Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta rest in Vieira. The midfielder’s verstality allows him to play as a number-8, number-10 as well as a winger on either flanks.
Meanwhile, Vieira himself has suggested which position he would like to play in this Arsenal team which is stacked with attacking talent in Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe.
“The manager told me he knows I can play as a midfielder — No.8, No.10 — or on the wing, left side or right side. They know I am a versatile player,” said Vieira. “I prefer No.10. It’s my real position.”
Mikel Arteta has certainly got he preseason to experiment with Vieira and then carve out a plan for next season. Nonetheless, Arteta has now got a plenty of firepower in his ‘Arsenal’.