Arsenal sent Fábio Vieira back to FC Porto on loan this summer to help him get more game time, with the hope that he would return as a better player next season.
Vieira has struggled for playing time at the Emirates, and the arrival of Mikel Merino added more competition in the Gunners’ midfield.
Although Arsenal initially wanted him to stay and fight for his place, Mikel Arteta’s side was eventually convinced to let him leave on loan.
Porto had committed to giving Vieira ample game time, but so far, they have struggled to keep that promise.
Since his return to Portugal, Vieira has not played for Porto due to a lack of fitness. He has been working hard to regain full fitness, but Notícias ao Minuto reports that he missed their latest training session as well.
This means he is still not ready for selection, and it may take some time before he finally makes his debut for his current club.
Just Arsenal Opinion
When we sent Vieira to Porto, we wanted him to get plenty of game time, but he has to overcome his fitness problems on time to win a spot on their first team.
Otherwise, this will be an unsuccessful loan spell and he will struggle to break back into our first team plans.
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He had no hopes in the PL.Get rid of him.
One of the few mistakes made by Arteta.
Legends have it great men make great mistakes, the gaffer can’t be classified as great yet, but he isn’t immune from making a blunder or two.
Very unfortunate. If he doesn’t manage a big turnaround there (which he could still do, I guess) he’ll be back with us next summer – and then what? I don’t imagine that club representatives will be forming an orderly line outside Arteta’s office for Vieira’s signature. What would they be buying, after all?
Things seemingly have been going from bad to worse for Vieira. His struggles to stay fit at Arsenal, and when fit he wasn’t producing, and mostly invisible.
Fitness issues continue to be a problem even on loan, a real concern at this point. Quite a task to overcome, and it’s looking less likely he has a future at Arsenal.
Frankly it was a waste of 34 million, which could have been put to better use in other positions. Into his 3rd year, and I don’t think things are turning around, best to start planning without Vieira, and how to recoup some of that wasted 34 million.