Arsenal fans have now changed their minds about Vinicius Jr after what he did for Brazil

There was huge disappointment among Arsenal fans this summer when the Vinicius Jr pursuit came to nothing.

The Kroenkes had approved the move at ownership level and were willing to put together a serious financial package to bring the Brazilian superstar to North London. Even his Real Madrid teammates were convinced he was leaving. For a period, the possibility of Vinicius Jr lining up alongside Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard at the Emirates felt genuinely real.

Of course, he ended up staying at Real Madrid, and at the time, it was a gutting blow. But since then, Arsenal fans have seemed to change their minds.

Arsenal fans react to Vinicius Jr’s performance for Brazil

Vinicius has struggled for form this season under Jose Mourinho. He was hooked after 64 minutes in the Madrid derby against Atletico, and has been under scrutiny for a series of below-par performances. He is visibly short of the form that made him one of the best players in the world.

On Friday, playing for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Australia, more clips emerged online that have Arsenal fans feeling very relieved indeed.

In one clip, Vinicius receives the ball out wide inside his own half, attempts to shimmy past his man, and seems to forget the ball, losing his balance and stumbling away from it before being dispossessed.

Vinícius Jr desaprendeu a jogar bola pic.twitter.com/9UeDjpDLlM

— Central do Braga (@CentralDoBrega) September 25, 2026

In another, he receives it on the edge of the box in exactly the position where he is usually so dangerous, and bizarrely decides to dink it straight to an Australia defender.

His full performance stats made for grim reading — no goals, no assists, no successful dribbles, no crosses, no defensive contributions, just one duel won.

Arsenal fans have had their say on social media. “Arsenal dodged a bullet. What exactly has happened to Vinicius Jr?” one wrote. “This Vinicius guy is finished. He just can’t seem to do anything right anymore,” said another. A third added: “Vinicius Jr. has forgotten how to play football.”

Whether the Arsenal saga has actually had a hindrance on his performances is unlikely, but it is fascinating. The player the Gunners were chasing in the summer isn’t the one currently putting on the Brazil shirt. Right now, they might be relieved they didn’t get him.