Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has, late on Thursday, singled an at times forgotten member of his squad out for some deserved praise.
Arteta’s troops were of course back in action earlier this evening.
After reestablishing their five-point advantage at the summit of England’s top-flight courtesy of a remarkable comeback downing of Bournemouth at the weekend, the Gunners turned their attentions towards matters on the continent, in a Europa League Last-16 showdown with Portuguese giants Sporting CP.
And, when all was said and done in Lisbon, an entertaining affair ultimately culminated in a 2-2 stalemate.
After Arsenal’s William Saliba-inspired lead was turned on its head courtesy of strikes from Goncalo Ignacio and Paulinho, an altogether unfortunate Hidemasa Morita own goal ensured that the visitors escaped with a share of the spoils ahead of next week’s return leg in north London.
Arsenal get themselves back in it! ✨
A wicked deflection but the Gunners will take that ✅#UEL pic.twitter.com/oso6Fdh6D1
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2023
And, on the back of what proved a major test for his rotated XI on Thursday, Mikel Arteta, as alluded to above, was keen to hail the contributions of one Gunners star in particular.
Speaking to the media post-match, Arsenal’s boss lauded midfielder Vieira as a player whom he ‘absolutely loves’, even going as far as to publicly admit that the summer arrival at The Emirates – who laid on Saliba’s opener – is deserving of a more regular spot in his line-up:
“Really happy with him. I think he deserves more minutes than he’s had, especially in the last two months. Obviously he had a difficult start because we injured for two months after a surgery and wasn’t at the level that we want.
You saw tonight he was probably our most dangerous player. He was always making things happen. He’s a player that I absolutely love.”
Mikel Arteta says Fabio Vieira deserves more minutes after his good performance against Sporting.https://t.co/MiNbSUV59l
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) March 9, 2023
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