Arsenal are currently in the midst of an injury crisis that has seen several players being overworked, played out of position, and the team is running short in general. As per fresh reports from the Daily Cannon, the Gunners could now explore options to recall Fabio Vieira from his loan spell at FC Porto. Manager Mikel Arteta also hinted at a possibility of bringing the Portuguese midfielder back.
Speaking to the media recently, Arteta revealed that injuries have forced Arsenal to weigh all options, with Vieira’s return on the cards as well. He said: “There were certain possibilities with the Fabio situation. We’re exploring all of the things we can do, just in case we cannot do them as well, how the injuries are progressing and when we’re going to have them available. So we are aware of everything.”
Due to injuries to Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri, the Gunners were missing a left-footed attacker for their right flank. All their current options in Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are right-footed. This could result in Vieira being recalled.
Fabio Vieira’s season so far
Since returning to his boyhood club, albeit on a short-term deal, Vieira has played plenty minutes with great regularity. However, his output in front of goal remains on the lower side, considering that he mostly plays in a deeper midfield role.
Vieira has played 21 times for Porto across competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists as well. He has also picked up four yellow cards during these games. A versatile player by nature, Vieira has been deployed as an attacking midfielder, as a deeper central midfielder, and also out wide on the right flank.
MUST READ: David Ornstein claims Arsenal are keen admirers of 13GA PL winger
Both his assists have come while playing on the flank, and this could be something Arteta would be looking to build on, considering that is exactly an area that Arsenal find themselves short in.
It remains to be seen whether the north Londoners recall their player.
