Neville intrigued by Arteta decision on Fabio Vieira in Arsenal draw

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Gary Neville told Sky Sports (broadcast on 3/1; 22:15) that Mikel Arteta not bringing on Fabio Vieira during Arsenal’s draw with Newcastle on Tuesday was interesting, and suggested that the Gunners boss did not have faith in the summer signing to change the game.

The Gunners dropped points at home in the Premier League for the first time this season this week. Arsenal endured a frustrating night against a very resilient Newcastle side at the Emirates.

Arteta’s men were ultimately unable to test Nick Pope too much. And it was arguably the first time where it became apparent that Arsenal were missing Gabriel Jesus – though Eddie Nketiah was very good.

Neville intrigued by Arteta not using Fabio Vieira against Newcastle

They just seemed to lack that spark in the final third. Nevertheless, Arteta decided to only make one change during the entirety of the game. And that involved Takehiro Tomiyasu replacing Ben White.

The likes of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Marquinhos and Vieira were left on the bench. And Neville suggested that Arteta obviously did not have confidence that any of those players would change the game.

“The interesting thing was Vieira, I think he was £34 million, Mikel Arteta felt that if he brought him on, he would obviously weaken this team to try and win that game tonight. So he hasn’t got faith in his bench to improve the team that was out there,” he told Sky Sports (broadcast on 3/1; 22:15).

Arsenal boss may have simple explanation

It is hard to question Arteta’s thinking when it comes to Vieira. People will easily forget that Arsenal fans were livid with how he managed Gabriel Martinelli’s minutes for so long while the team was struggling for creativity.

That strategy reaped rewards with Martinelli now one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League.

Given the money spent on the 22-year-old, you would imagine that Arteta is taking a similar view with Vieira. He needs time to adapt to the Premier League.

There is also an argument that it would have been difficult to work out who to take off. Perhaps Granit Xhaka would have been the obvious choice. However, it was Xhaka who threatened to win Arsenal a penalty in stoppage-time.

It is not ideal when Arsenal are contending for a title. But Arteta has shown time and time again that he is unlikely to deviate from his principles for possible short-term gain.