Pundit issues ‘big’ Arsenal claim after new Fabio Vieira development
Noel Whelan has claimed the newfound squad depth at Arsenal will make them “serious contenders” this term as Fabio Vieira prepares to return from injury.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted manager Mikel Arteta has “no excuses” after spending big during the summer window.
Vieira made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt on Wednesday (17 August), stepping up his recovery from a foot problem with 45 minutes in the Premier League Cup against Swansea’s Under-21 side.
Arteta has confirmed the Portugal Under-21 international is available to make his debut during the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday (20 August).
Arsenal completed the signing of Vieira earlier this summer (21 June) for a reported £34million fee.
He registered seven goals and 16 assists in 39 games for Porto last season.
Whelan suggested the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko show that the Gunners mean business this term.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Mikel Arteta wanted this competitive squad, and he’s got it.
“It’s such a big season for him because he’s no longer got any excuses. He’s got the players in and he’s spent the money wisely.
“The competition for places is there. It’s no longer just young players putting the pressure on.
“It’s players like Vieira who have cost a lot of money, and they will make Arsenal serious contenders – as we’re already seeing with Jesus.
“Xhaka and Partey know they will be out of the side if they put a foot wrong.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire lambasts Arsenal after “irresponsible” update – “they have zero standards”.