What Portugal’s media are saying about Fabio Vieira after latest display says a lot about Martin Odegaard replacement prospects at Arsenal

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As Martin Odegaard continues to struggle for Arsenal, Fabio Vieira continues to impress with his performances on loan at Porto.

Vieira has been thriving in the Primeira Liga over recent months, making 38 appearances, scoring five goals and registering five assists across all competitions.

Portuguese media have been enthused by Vieira’s displays, and the feeling around Porto is that they want to keep hold of the player moving forward.

However, Arsenal could do with having the playmaker back in their ranks as Mikel Arteta looks to add more creativity to an often sterile attacking side.

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Portugal’s media praise Arsenal star Fabio Vieira

Arsenal Insider revealed earlier this month that Arsenal could reintegrate Vieira, but he’d have to be willing to play a bit-part role at the Emirates.

That could change, however, if he keeps delivering exceptional performances in Portugal.

Deployed in a front three on Sunday evening against Boavista, the 25-year-old pulled the strings for Martin Anselmi’s team, claiming the man of the match award.

Goals from Rodrigo Mora and Ivan Marcano gave Porto a two-goal lead, before Reisinho’s penalty clawed one back for Boavista.

The Primeira Liga giants held on for all three points, and Portuguese media subsequently raved about Vieira’s showing.

A Bola wrote in their match report: “It was, let it be said, a game without technical excellence, enlivened qualitatively by some brushstrokes from Fabio Vieira.”

The same publication wrote about the Gunners loanee in their player ratings: “He is a creative person looking for the best inspiration, something that has not always come his way, as has been the case. But he is also a hard worker. A good pre-season could bring us a different Fábio in 2025/2026.”

Meanwhile, O Jogo awarded Vieira a seven out of ten in their player ratings: “Very active from the right, he showed good combinations with João Mário and had chances to score: in the 3rd minute, Vaclik saved and, in the 75th minute, he shot over. Note for a good pass to Samu in the 60th minute.”

Fabio Vieira cannot replace Martin Odegaard at Arsenal

While the Portuguese media outlets are basking in the glory of Vieira’s performance, he has little chance of usurping Odegaard.

A Bola critically pointed out that a ‘good pre-season could bring us a different Fábio in 2025/2026.’

This suggests that whilst he’s impressed in glimpses in Portugal, Vieira hasn’t quite set the world alight.

If he’s not set the world alight in the Primeira Liga, he’s unlikely to do so in the Premier League as he enters the season in which he’ll be 25.

Arsenal are interested in signing Viktor Gyokeres, who has set the Portuguese top flight alight, although there are even question marks about the Swede and his ability to translate his form to English football, despite netting over 50 goals in all competitions this term.

If there are concerns about Gyokeres, then the concerns should be even greater about Vieira.

While the diminutive attacking midfielder could be a useful squad player at Arsenal, his chances of replacing Odegaard are extremely slim.