Comparing Fabio Vieira’s 21-22 stats with Arsenal’s current midfielders

The Gunners have agreed to pay the Portuguese side an initial £29.9million for Vieira and could potentially spend an extra £4.3mllion in add-ons.

He came through Porto’s academy and won the prestigious UEFA Youth League in 2018-19 after scoring against Chelsea in the final.

The midfielder, who mainly operates as a No.8 or a No.10, made his senior debut in June 2020 and has since established himself as a key player for Sergio Conceicao’s side. 

He is yet to win a senior cap for Portugal but won the player of the tournament award at last year’s European Under-21 Championship. 

Vieira then made 39 first-team appearances for Porto in 2021-22, helping his side win a domestic double of the Primeira Liga and the Taca de Portugal.

We’ve compared his 2021-22 Primeira Liga stats with the corresponding Premier League numbers of Arsenal’s current midfielders. Note: we’ve also included Bukayo Saka’s stats as Vieira can also play on the right flank as a wide attacking midfielder.

Goals

Bukayo Saka – 11 Emile Smith Rowe – 10 Martin Odegaard – 7

Fabio Vieira – 6

Thomas Partey – 2

Grant Xhaka – 1

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 0

Assists

Bukayo Saka – 7 Martin Odegaard – 4

Emile Smith Rowe – 2

Grant Xhaka – 2

Thomas Partey – 1

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 0

READ: Fabio Vieira is the assist king sent to answer Arteta’s Arsenal prayers

Minutes per goal or assist

Emile Smith Rowe – 160.1

Bukayo Saka – 166.4 Martin Odegaard – 253.9

Grant Xhaka – 777

Thomas Partey – 677.3

Albert Sambi Lokonga – N/A

Chances created per 90 minutes

Fabio Vieira – 2.3

Bukayo Saka – 2.0

Emile Smith Rowe – 1.4

Albert Sambi Lokonga – 1.4

Grant Xhaka – 1.2

Thomas Partey – 0.8

Successful dribbles per 90 minutes (success rate)

Bukayo Saka – 1.3 (41.9%)

Martin