Mikel Arteta urged to drop £34m Arsenal star ahead of Bournemouth clash after Tottenham decision
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Fabio Vieira 'isn't good enough' following his performance in the North London Derby draw against Tottenham. The Portuguese playmaker completed a £34million switch to the Emirates Stadium last year.
Vieira was hooked off at half-time against Spurs after a disappointing first half performance. Arteta has opted to rotate the 23-year-old with summer signing Kai Havertz in the left No.8 role alongside Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Following injuries to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, Arteta was forced to start Gabriel Jesus out wide against Spurs. Havertz came on to replace Vieira against Spurs — but the German's struggles to adapt to a new role at Arsenal continued as he is yet to register a single goal contribution.
However, according to Merson, such a lineup is emblematic of a lack of depth in the side. The former Arsenal legend is unconvinced about whether Vieira has the quality to start in Arteta’s side.
«I was so confident that Arsenal would win on Sunday but when I saw the teams. I was majorly worried,» he told Sky Sports.
«Jesus on the wing, [Eddie] Nketiah up front. Vieira – I don’t think he’s good enough.
»Then Declan Rice comes off and Jorginho comes on. It wasn’t Arsenal’s strongest team but when you think about the Champions League and all the games they have to play, it looked a bit weak on Sunday, didn’t it?"
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