Arsenal hero Martin Keown says Vieira ‘starting to make his mark’

Arsenal v Bodo Glimt: Pictures

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Arsenal ace Fabio Vieira is beginning to make his mark as he seeks to earn a regular place in Mikel Arteta’s side, Gunners icon Martin Keown believes. Vieira scored and provided an assist in Arsenal’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening. 

The 22-year-old was impressive throughout the game, despite mild criticism from boss Arteta afterwards. Vieira crossed for Rob Holding to head home Arsenal’s second after Eddie Nkeitah handed the north Londoners the lead. 

He then capped his display by tapping home Gabriel Jesus’s cut-back after a mazy run from the Brazilian. Vieira has the likes of Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka preventing him from earning a place in Arsenal’s regular Premier League team. 

But former defender Keown believes that the Portugal U21 international is beginning to ‘make his mark’ and should soon start playing more games. “You can see Vieira now just getting more and more confident, that corner [before his assist] came from his own bit of class,” Keown said on BT Sport. 

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“Odegaard’s the man and when you come in. You’ve got to make your mark and he’s beginning to do that now.”

Vieira has now scored two goals and provided an assist in his three starts for Arsenal. The versatile star was signed in a £40m deal from Porto in the summer. 

Keown’s fellow BT Sport pundit Joe Cole thinks Vieira is a prototype Arsenal player. Analysing the player’s cross for Holding’s goal, the former Chelsea man said: “Graceful. He’s a player that you associate with Arsenal – great feet, great movement, body shape, puts in a great ball. 

“What he’s done with the cross is put enough pace on it so when you attack it you only have to guide it. It’s beautiful and it’s moments of brilliance from great qualities. Arsenal were far from the outstanding levels we’ve seen them.”

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However, it seems that Vieira still has more to do to impress Arteta. The Spaniard said in his post-match press conference that the midfielder needs to improve his organisational and pressing abilities to be a regular starter. 

“You saw the quality every time he’s around the box. He’s a real threat, real intelligent player, really brave,” Arteta said.

“In defending he still needs to do more. [He needs to understand] more because organisation is key when you play against good teams in ball possession.”

Arsenal host Liverpool on Sunday and currently sit 11 points clear of the Reds in the Premier League. The Gunners have won nine of their 10 matches this season and have set the early pace in the top-flight. 

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