Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira has started to pick up some form and momentum while on loan at FC Porto this season.
The playmaker struggled for minutes under Mikel Arteta since making the switch from Portugal, leading to an exit from the Emirates Stadium.
Fabio Vieira rejoined Porto on a season-long loan that had a bit of a slow start, but has since seen him among the goals and assists once again.
While the 24-year-old is looking settled once more, he missed out on playing in a huge clash in the context of his team’s season.
Fabio Vieira missed FC Porto’s clash with Braga through suspension
Having helped fire Porto into some form again, Fabio Vieira and his side were closing in on the Champions League qualification places.
In Portugal, only the champions are guaranteed a place in the competition, while second place will go through the qualification play-offs.
Third and fourth, as it stands, are placed in Europa League and Europa Conference League play-offs for the season.
A six-point gap to the top-two seemed tough for Porto to bridge but not entirely impossible until they took on Braga.
The rivals managed a 1-0 victory courtesy of Ricardo Horta, bringing the two sides level on points and games in third and fourth.
It now gives an opportunity for Sporting CP and Benfica to pull clear in the race for Champions League qualification and the title.
Vieira simply had to watch on as his loan side fell to defeat after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season last time out against Arouca.
That meant a one-match ban for the midfielder, who may be regretting that booking and the lack of impact he could make on such an important match.
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Porto’s Champions League hopes could impact Arsenal
It’s no surprise now that the Champions League offers plenty of money for clubs to play with, as huge broadcast and sponsorship deals are on the table.
So it would come as a slight blow to Arsenal if FC Porto were to miss out on that and in turn impact the transfer market.
Vieira seems to have very little future with the Gunners, which means a summer exit could well be on the cards.
As no buy option is included in the loan, Porto would have to negotiate a possible return for the midfielder in the weeks ahead.
Their budget may well be impacted depending on which type of European football they qualify for, with the Champions League offering the greatest chance of Arsenal landing a decent fee.
Anything other than that could see those chances reduced and impact the side in the transfer market.
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