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PETE JENSON: Arsenal may have found a new Vieira, but £35m Fabio is no Patrick and has a lot left to prove if he is to live up to his early promise

It is often said that Arsenal have never replaced Vieira in their midfield — well now they have.

But if Arsenal are expecting new £35million midfielder Fabio to play anything like their former midfield general Patrick, they have another thing coming.

Left-footed, slight of frame, bearded and Portuguese, the Gunners’ new man bears a far closer resemblance to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

Arsenal have signedu00a0 22-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira for u00a335m from Porto

Arsenal have signed 22-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira for £35m from Porto

But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta won’t have to be told how much the 22-year-old will need to progress if he is to reach the same standard.