“Similar to Messi’: Arsenal ace who’s started just one PL game could explode in 2023, he’s compared himself to Messi
Arsenal Summer signing has only shown flashes of his brilliance so far, but in 2023, he could really shine.
The Gunners made a surprise move for the Portuguese midfielder in the summer. Nobody really saw it coming, but Edu got the deal done very quickly, and the transfer was completed for £34 million (Sky Sports).
Fabio Vieira could become a star for Arsenal in 2023
It’s never easy for a foreign player to come to the Premier League and hit the ground running. For Vieira, it was even more difficult because he arrived with an injury.
The 22-year-old missed Arsenal’s entire pre-season last summer. He was declared fit for the first team only in September, and he made his debut against Manchester United in the first week of the month.
Vieira has started just one Premier League game so far, but he has been a regular in the Europa League. He’s yet to set the stage on fire, but he has shown glimpses of his brilliance every now and then.
The World Cup break came at the right time for Vieira, who got himself a mini pre-season of sorts at Arsenal over the last few weeks. He seems to have used it well as his performances against Lyon and AC Milan in Dubai, where he played as a right-winger, were simply sensational.
Now, it looks like Vieira is ready. He looks much better physically and his versatility makes him a huge asset for the Gunners. If he stays fit, he really could explode in the second half of the campaign as Arsenal look to mount a title charge.
Vieira says he’s similar to Lionel Messi
Being Portuguese, Vieira often gets asked about his country’s greatest player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
He admitted in an interview that he really looks up to him, but the Arsenal man thinks he’s a lot more similar to CR7’s arch-rival and now a World Cup winner, Lionel Messi.
He told Arsenal.com last month, as reported by TBR Football: “The two biggest influences for me are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
“Ronaldo not because he is Portuguese, but he is really someone who really inspires others with his work ethic, how he had to leave his family and his comfort zone to sign for Sporting, and for him to build the career that he has built inspires everyone.
“I have met Ronaldo. I met him with the national team as we would both be at the gym, and again recently in our game at Manchester United. He would always provide support and give advice to young players.
“Messi is more to do with my style of play. I am similar to Messi and I appreciate the way that he plays.”
