Fabio Vieira spotted doing something surprising during extra-time in Arsenal vs Porto clash

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Arsenal star Fabio Vieira didn’t get a minute against Porto last night, but it looks like he still played his part in helping the Gunners beat them.

Mikel Arteta‘s side booked their place in the quarter-final of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years last night. They were made to work hard by Vieira’s old side, but Arsenal managed to get over the line in the end.

What Fabio Vieira was spotted doing during extra-time in Arsenal vs Porto

Nobody in Arsenal‘s squad knows more about Porto than Fabio Vieira.

The talented midfielder spent most of his life at the Portuguese club. He came through the ranks there and even made 76 appearances for their senior side before moving to Arsenal.

Vieira would’ve loved to play against his old club, but he was an unused substitute in both legs. That is a shame, but the 23-year-old seems to have played his part.

Arsenal were made to work hard by a stubborn Porto side last night. The game went to extra-time after they were level on aggregate at full-time, and Mikel Arteta tried to push his players to get the win.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was brought on in place of Jakub Kiwior, and we all know the Ukraine international has the ability to unlock defences by playing through the lines.

During the break in extra-time, Vieira, who knows all about Porto, decided to put his coach’s hat on. He pulled Zinchenko aside even though he’s the more experienced man and appeared to give him detailed instructions on what he needed to do.

The Telegraph’s Sam Dean tweeted: “Something I did not expect to see: Fabio Vieira giving Zinchenko some very intensive and detailed instructions during the break in extra time.”

Vieira could still have a role to play at Arsenal

Fabio Vieira is by no means the first-choice at Arsenal.

The 23-year-old is hugely versatile and can play in a number of positions, but at least one player is ahead of him in the pecking order in each of those roles.

However, Arsenal will face plenty of teams in the remainder of the season who will sit back and defend with a low block. Vieira could be the man to unlock such defences.

The Portuguese midfielder has incredible vision. His quality on the ball is magnificent and he can work wonders in tight spaces. His potential is enormous is as well.

Vieira, who has been compared to Martin Odegaard, may not play a lot of football in the coming months, but we’re sure he will get minutes at some point, and his quality could change a game or two for Arsenal.