Some of the Arsenal players not competing at Euro 2024 or the Copa America have taken an unusual step ahead of pre-season.
With these players not expected back at Arsenal for pre-season for several weeks, many were enjoying their holidays. However, six players and their families joined Mikel Arteta in Marbella, Spain, for some extra training during this time.
Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira and Ben White have committed to this extra training, and they will soon be joined by Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus.
Some of these stars are hoping for strong starts to the season and are aiming to build their fitness up, and Fabio Vieira in particular, has a point to prove.
Fabio Vieira needs to have strong pre-season to save Arsenal career
Vieira arrived from Porto in 2022 for around £34m as a top young talent, but he has started just five Premier League games in two seasons since.
He has shown glimpses of talent, but has failed to find consistent form, and time is running out for the Portuguese midfielder.
After missing a significant period through injury this season, Vieira will hope that he can build his fitness up to perform throughout a full pre-season campaign.
With the likes of Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka competing at Euro 2024, Vieira will hope to impress enough that he can challenge for one of their starting spots in the first few games of the season, but in order to do this, he needs to show improvement in Arsenal’s friendlies leading into the campaign.
Fabio Vieira can benefit from extended run of fitness
When Vieira arrived at Arsenal, he missed pre-season and the first month of the campaign through injury, and without a run of starts, he could not build up any consistent form.
He started well last season, with a stunning cameo against Fulham off the bench earning him a place in the starting XI for the North London derby, but he then needed surgery in December which ruled him out for a while.
If Vieira can start pre-season well and build up a run of fitness, he can force his way into Arteta’s thinking more, and if he can make an impact in midfield, he can secure a long-term future at the Emirates.
Another bit-part campaign from the 24-year-old could mean that by next year, he is discarded. With Arsenal challenging for the title, there is little room for passengers in Arteta’s squad.