Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira is relishing life back in Portugal as the attacking midfielder continues to shine on loan.
In the summer, Mikel Arteta made the shock decision to send Vieira on loan to his former club Porto, giving the 24-year-old the chance to earn sufficient game time.
Sending the attacking midfielder away for the season was a puzzling decision from Arsenal, who also parted ways with Emile Smith Rowe, losing two players with similar profiles.
As Arsenal struggle creatively, there will be a thought spared as to whether sending Vieira on loan was the right decision, as he continues to earn high praise at Porto.
Porto manager Martin Anselmi sings Fabio Vieira’s praises
After Vieira spent the start of the season injured, the attacking midfielder has made up for lost time, being a valued member of the Porto squad.
It’s not been an easy campaign for the 2022 signing, who has suffered injury, a change in manager and subsequently, a change in his position.
Vieira earned rave reviews playing in a deeper role for Porto, where he’s not only impressed Portuguese media but also, new boss Martin Anselmi.
The coach waxed lyrical about the Arsenal loanee after Porto’s draw against Vitoria, where Vieira scored a magnificent goal to put his club ahead.
“I am very happy that he scored and that he enjoyed playing. He is a very important player for us, who knows what it means to represent this shirt and who takes the lead in the game,” Anselmi told O Jogo after the draw.
The new Porto boss went on to express how delighted he is to work with Vieira, revealing just how crucial his presence is to his plans at the club.
“He does not need much tactical instruction, he is playing a somewhat new position for him, but he does not suffer from it, on the contrary.
“I don’t know who Fabio met, but we spoke to him a lot and I consider him very important for the group on the field and, off the field, he seems to be a very serious and professional person.”
Anselmi seemingly doesn’t want his time with Vieira to end, which could hint at Porto’s hopes to sign the midfielder from Arsenal for good in the summer.
Arsenal will surely part ways with Vieira in the summer
For all of the talent that Vieira has, it’s abundantly clear that the midfielder is not suited to English football.
So much so that Arteta let Vieira go to give Ethan Nwaneri a chance to impress at senior level, which the Hale End product has done beyond expectation.
With two number ten’s in Martin Odegaard and Nwaneri, it’s understood that Arteta sees no place for Vieira in his Arsenal squad anymore, which could pave the way for a summer exit.
Fortunately, the 24-year-old is doing Arsenal and himself a favour by impressing at Porto, where he could land himself a permanent transfer when his future is revisited at the end of the season.
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