Arsenal considered recalling on-loan attacker this month

Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal had the chance to recall Fabio Vieira from his loan at FC Porto, adding that the club are looking at all their options.

Amid Arsenal’s recent injury crisis and the difficulties in signing top attacking players in the current transfer window, some fans have suggested that maybe the club should look at recalling one of their loan players.

Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson are playing for FC Porto and Fulham respectively this season, but both would provide solid cover in Arsenal’s attacking positions given the current absentees.

When asked about the opportunity to recall Vieira or Nelson this month, Arteta confirmed that there were options with the former player, and the club are exploring what they can do.

“There were certain possibilities with the Fabio situation,” Arteta confirmed.

“We’re exploring all of the things that 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.”

Arteta’s focus on Vieira in his answer suggests Nelson isn’t really an option, whether that’s due to a lack of a recall clause, the player’s recent injury absence, or because he’s more similar to what Arsenal already have.

With Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri out, the team has been missing left-footed attacking players for the right-hand side. The Gunners have plenty of right-footed options even after Gabriel Jesus’ injury, with Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Raheem Sterling all still available.

But on that same note, perhaps Nwaneri’s return to training this week might make Arsenal hesitate on recalling Vieira. After all, Arteta confirmed earlier this season that part of the reason to loan Vieira out was to give Nwaneri more opportunities.

Recalling Vieira may end up meaning that both of them play significantly reduced minutes, and then Saka returns in March (fingers crossed) and their pathways only get more congested.

Bringing Vieira back is clearly something the club have considered, but for now there’s no suggestion it’s particularly likely.