When Arsenal’s squad for their game against Chelsea on Saturday was announced there were a few absentees, but while we know where Aaron Ramsdale was, where was Fabio Vieira?
Aaron Ramsdale was missing from the Arsenal squad for their draw with Chelsea because his wife was giving birth to their son.
We know this because Arsenal explained it shortly after they announced their squad for the game.
About Vieira, however, they said nothing, which seems to indicate that it was a tactical decision by Mikel Arteta to drop him from the squad.
Vieira, who cost Arsenal £34m from FC Porto in July 2022, has been a consistent presence in the squad this season, so his absence was notable.
Until the match against Chelsea, he had featured in every squad for the Premier League in 23/23. He has started twice and come off the bench three times.
It was also noted by some in the media that Vieira was not selected for international duty by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, which apparently heightened the mystery around his absence from the Chelsea game.
In reality, Vieira has yet to win his first full international cap for his country so his selection was always highly unlikely given his lack of minutes at Arsenal.
Reporter Kaya Kaynak stated there was “no injury for Fabio Vieira who is out of the squad today.”
The lack of official communication regarding Vieira’s absence has led to speculation.
However, sources close to the club back Kaynak’s information and have indicated that Vieira is fit and was merely left out due to a managerial decision by Mikel Arteta.
Since joining Arsenal, Vieira has played 41 times, clocking up a total of 1,679 minutes.
He has scored two goals and assisted eight.