No Fabio Vieira recall – extra is required

Good morning, it’s Sunday for these of you who’ve misplaced observe of what day it’s.

There are Premier League video games as we speak and Monday, however for some purpose our sport in opposition to Brentford is scheduled for Wednesday night. It’s a bit bizarre, I don’t actually perceive why there’s such a niche, nevertheless it means we now have two difficult away video games in shut proximity as we then go to Brighton on Saturday night.

There’s not rather a lot occurring when it comes to Arsenal information, aside from rumours of Fabio Vieira being recalled from his mortgage at Porto, even involving a personal jet (a basic however one which I’ve by no means seen utilized to a participant returning to his personal membership having had a season lengthy mortgage minimize brief). Anyway, this has since been shot down by their head coach Vitor Bruno. He left the 24 yr previous out of the squad for his or her sport in opposition to Boavista yesterday, citing one thing obscure about his ‘daily actions’, however insisted he would stick with them for the remainder of the season:

Fabio is aware of me nicely and we’re relying on him. He might be obtainable to play once more subsequent week.

Whereas it might make sense on some degree, I don’t assume Vieira could be something aside from a heat physique. Which maybe is to not be sniffed at at this second in time, however I’ve by no means been satisfied by him in Bukayo Saka’s place, and simply a few press conferences in the past Mikel Arteta made it clear that loaning him out was deliberate in an effort to make the pathway for Ethan Nwaneri. It’s not as if he’s been tearing it up at Porto both. Two targets and two assists in 17 appearances in what’s a better league to provide in doesn’t scream ‘RECALL!’ to me.

As we mentioned in yesterday’s Arsecast Further, an attacking signing on this window is a necessity, however fairly what we do is the query. Do we glance under us within the Premier League, and pay the upper value for somebody who is able to go on this league, or search one thing less expensive elsewhere? We will’t mortgage a participant from one other Premier League membership however we are able to carry somebody in briefly from overseas.

A mortgage could be sensible, supplying you with the possibility to go after a extra attainable everlasting goal in the summertime, however you then run the chance of it being a bit extra Denis Suarez than Martin Odegaard. Arsenal have accomplished first rate enterprise in January prior to now. Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Andrei Arshavin and Nacho Monreal had been all signed within the mid-season window – they usually all labored out nicely to various levels.

Extra not too long ago Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior have arrived in January, and whereas maybe solely the Belgian has been a ‘hit’ (even when his present kind is a bit patchy), the opposite two have augmented the squad fairly nicely. The factor about this window although is that we’d like somebody who can actually make an affect. We’re with out a participant who has contributed to over 30% of our targets because the begin of the 2022-23 season (James’ stat on the podcast yesterday!), and people are some large footsteps to try to comply with.

Proper now, we’re concerned in 4 competitions. That would change this month as cup ties happen, however on prime of that we’re second within the Premier League and nonetheless within the Champions League. Regardless of the low-level feel-bad issue that’s an undercurrent of our season due to how sure video games have gone, this stays a aggressive crew with a real likelihood of silverware throughout a number of competitions. I’m positive Arsenal recognise that, I’m sure they’ll sense the chance, however may see the problem of attempting to do it with out our best attacking participant.

I perceive Mikel Arteta saying he has to get as a lot as doable out of the gamers he has, however over the course of his tenure the outlay on attacking expertise has been nicely under that of different areas – significantly defensive. We’re so sturdy there, however essentially weakened additional ahead now. I’m not saying we should always and even may go and spend what Newcastle need for Alexander Isak, for instance, however a press release of intent and a signing who gained’t simply be a alternative for Saka within the short-term could be an enormous enhance as we go into the second half of the season.

Stan. Josh. Get yer chequebook out, buddies.

Have an amazing Sunday people.