Fabio Vieira just proved exactly why Mikel Arteta made a mistake letting him leave Arsenal

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Arsenal made the decision to grant Fabio Vieira the chance to leave the club in the summer on a season-long loan.

Vieira returned to his boyhood club Porto in the summer, signing for the Dragons for the season after failing to record consistent game time at the Emirates.

There have been mixed reviews about Vieira at Porto, given that the midfielder had to wait some time to make his mark due to injury struggles.

Now that the 24-year-old is up and running in his homeland, Mikel Arteta has a better opportunity to assess his player’s future.

• READ MORE: How every player on loan from Arsenal in 2024-25 is performing this season

Portugal’s media react to latest Fabio Vieira display

While Arsenal continue to struggle in attack, Vieira is shining on loan in Portugal, adding another goal contribution to his collection.

It’s three contributions in eight games for Vieira in Liga Portugal this term, and the 24-year-old certainly won over the media with his overall display against Estrela Amadora. 

Mais Futebol said, “Fabio Vieira continued to be in charge,” referencing the consistent creative output the midfielder provided. 

Vieira grabbed an assist in Porto’s 2-0 win, with his numbers in attack from the game meriting high praise. 

Desporto Ao Minuto applauded the Arsenal loanee’s impact during Porto’s victory, describing him as a ‘source of joy’. 

“Fabio Vieira was the only real source of joy for a grey FC Porto. Only the Portuguese under-21 international showed the ability to ‘shake up’ the monotony that had taken hold on the pitch at Dragao.”

Vieira’s playmaking strengths are not going unnoticed in Portugal, which is ironic for those back in N5, considering Arsenal’s lack of threat from open play.

Vieira is what Arsenal need right now 

While the playmaker is performing abroad, some reports suggest that Arsenal are ready to sell Vieira, who signed for the club in 2022.

Added to that, Arteta hinted that Vieira no longer has a place at the club, commenting on how the midfielder’s exit was planned to help Ethan Nwaneri develop.

That being said, given how Arsenal are struggling to carve out goals from open play, a player of Vieira’s profile could have been a significant help to Arteta at this moment. 

Offloading the Portuguese to spread his wings in Portugal was deemed to be the right choice but on reflection, there’s an argument to be had over the manager’s call.

Did the boss make a mistake in letting Vieira go, or is his exit just an example of hindsight?