An additional thought in the argument that Vini Jr doesn't track back and defend well enough, and how that goes against Arteta's philosophy. That's true to a good degree. But we've also seen signs over the last couple of seasons that Mikel is open to changing and evolving his expectations and tactics.

2024/25 - and even the first third of last season - we played swashbuckling, exciting football. But it was deemed too risky, so Arteta and his coaching team doubled down on set pieces (ole, ole!) to get the title we've been hunting for the last several seasons under him.

And I think there have been examples of him trying to mix things up with less conventional players too. Calafiori is not, by several measures, an Arteta-ish fullback. Yes, he likes to invert. But you'd have though the unpredictable way he often attacks would make Arteta uncomfortable. Yet Mikel seems to enjoy that x factor from the Italian in quite a few matches (when Ricardo is fit).

There are other examples too. But suffice to say, I get the feeling Arteta is trying to evolve his own coaching expectations and philosophy. And Vini Jr would definitely accelerate that sentiment.