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Arsenal loanee hailed on front page

Daily Cannon
·2 min read
Arsenal loanee hailed on front page
Arsenal loanee hailed on front page

Fábio Vieira’s resurgence at FC Porto has earned him high praise from Portuguese publication O Jogo, who hailed the Arsenal loanee’s recent performances as evidence of a career back on track.

FÁBIO VIEIRA RETURNS ON LOAN Jersey 10 takes almost twice as many minutes and has already equalled the number of decisive actions added up in 2023/24 O Jogo18 Dec 2024 Attacking midfielder totals 888’ in 16 games in the current season, a sharp rise compared to 470’ last season. He hadn't started four times in a row since 2022, before heading to Arsenal. The return of Fábio Vieira to FC Porto did not start in the best way, largely due to the muscle injury suffered by the creative at the beginning of September. Just over three months later, the landscape has changed significantly and the Dragons No 10 has shown that leaving Arsenal on loan was the right career move. The figures leave little room for doubt: Fábio has already participated in 16 games in the current season, as many as he added last season, marked by physical problems, still at the service of the London emblem. However, as far as minutes on the field are concerned, the current campaign (888’) has already largely surpassed the previous one – 470’, counting only the main team of the “gunners”. Adding to the proof of the attacking midfielder's reunion with the regularity that he has lacked since, in 2022, he headed to the Premier League, is the player's involvement in the Porto attacking maneuver. The day before yesterday, in front of the star of Amadora, Fábio Vieira made the second assist this season, when offering the 1-0 to Nico González. Adding the two decisive passes to the two goals he scored against Anderlecht and Casa Pia, the number 10 of FC Porto counts four direct appearances in goal, precisely the total number of 2023/24. With more than half a season to go and hoping to maintain (and even improve) the recent performance, the prospects of surpassing that number are, at this point, very encouraging. In this sense, in fact, Fábio Vieira goes through a sequence of games to start as not seen for more than two years. The clash with Estrela was the midfielder's fourth consecutive game in Vítor Bruno's starting eleven. The last time such a record had occurred was in March/April 2022, when, still under the guidance of Sérgio Conceição, the Portuguese Under-21 international achieved a series of eight challenges in a row as a starting option. This season was, by the way, the best of Fabio's career. In the 39 games he played, he made seven goals and 16 assists, claiming, on an equal basis with Mehdi Taremi, the place of the main “supplier” of the blue and white Gunners. Attentive to the good signs left by the 24-year-old creative is Arsenal (see Box), a club with which Fábio Vieira has a contract until June 2027. The loan to FC Porto is valid until the end of the season – Club World Cup included – and, until then, Vítor Bruno hopes to extract the best version of the player formed in Olival. Recent indications point in this direction and, on the coach's side, the use of Fábio will continue without reservations. Maximum: in 2021/22, Fábio Vieira scored seven goals and offered 16 for FC Porto Fitting: the transfer of the creative to Arsenal earned 35 M€ to the coffers of the Port players
O Jogo, 18 December 2024

After a slow start marred by a muscle injury in September, Vieira has established himself as a vital part of Porto’s attacking setup, with his form justifying Arsenal’s decision to sanction a season-long loan.

The numbers speak volumes about Vieira’s progress.

In 16 appearances this season, he has already matched his goal contributions from the entirety of last season with Arsenal, recording two goals and two assists. Moreover, his playing time has nearly doubled—888 minutes compared to 470 in 2023/24—highlighting the regularity he has lacked since his move to the Premier League in 2022.

FÁBIO VIEIRA RETURNS ON LOAN Jersey 10 takes almost twice as many minutes and has already equalled the number of decisive actions added up in 2023/24 O Jogo18 Dec 2024 Attacking midfielder totals 888’ in 16 games in the current season, a sharp rise compared to 470’ last season. He hadn't started four times in a row since 2022, before heading to Arsenal. The return of Fábio Vieira to FC Porto did not start in the best way, largely due to the muscle injury suffered by the creative at the beginning of September. Just over three months later, the landscape has changed significantly and the Dragons No 10 has shown that leaving Arsenal on loan was the right career move. The figures leave little room for doubt: Fábio has already participated in 16 games in the current season, as many as he added last season, marked by physical problems, still at the service of the London emblem. However, as far as minutes on the field are concerned, the current campaign (888’) has already largely surpassed the previous one – 470’, counting only the main team of the “gunners”. Adding to the proof of the attacking midfielder's reunion with the regularity that he has lacked since, in 2022, he headed to the Premier League, is the player's involvement in the Porto attacking maneuver. The day before yesterday, in front of the star of Amadora, Fábio Vieira made the second assist this season, when offering the 1-0 to Nico González. Adding the two decisive passes to the two goals he scored against Anderlecht and Casa Pia, the number 10 of FC Porto counts four direct appearances in goal, precisely the total number of 2023/24. With more than half a season to go and hoping to maintain (and even improve) the recent performance, the prospects of surpassing that number are, at this point, very encouraging. In this sense, in fact, Fábio Vieira goes through a sequence of games to start as not seen for more than two years. The clash with Estrela was the midfielder's fourth consecutive game in Vítor Bruno's starting eleven. The last time such a record had occurred was in March/April 2022, when, still under the guidance of Sérgio Conceição, the Portuguese Under-21 international achieved a series of eight challenges in a row as a starting option. This season was, by the way, the best of Fabio's career. In the 39 games he played, he made seven goals and 16 assists, claiming, on an equal basis with Mehdi Taremi, the place of the main “supplier” of the blue and white Gunners. Attentive to the good signs left by the 24-year-old creative is Arsenal (see Box), a club with which Fábio Vieira has a contract until June 2027. The loan to FC Porto is valid until the end of the season – Club World Cup included – and, until then, Vítor Bruno hopes to extract the best version of the player formed in Olival. Recent indications point in this direction and, on the coach's side, the use of Fábio will continue without reservations. Maximum: in 2021/22, Fábio Vieira scored seven goals and offered 16 for FC Porto Fitting: the transfer of the creative to Arsenal earned 35 M€ to the coffers of the Port players
O JOGO 18 December 2024

Vieira’s creative influence was on full display in Porto’s recent victory against Estrela da Amadora, where he provided an assist for Nico González’s opening goal. This marked his fourth consecutive start for Porto, a feat he last achieved over two years ago under Sérgio Conceição.

His current form recalls his stellar 2021/22 season, where he recorded seven goals and 16 assists, emerging as one of Porto’s key playmakers.

Arsenal remain closely involved, with scouts tracking Vieira’s development as he gains momentum in Portugal. With his loan running until the end of the season, Porto coach Vítor Bruno seems determined to extract the best version of the 24-year-old midfielder.

Vieira’s performances not only strengthen Porto’s attacking ambitions but also hint at his potential to play a more prominent role for Arsenal upon his return.

Having arrived in North London for €35m in 2022, Vieira’s loan spell represents a crucial opportunity to regain form and confidence. If his current trajectory continues, he may yet prove to be a valuable asset for Mikel Arteta’s evolving Arsenal squad.

For now, Vieira’s revival in Portugal serves as a testament to the benefits of a well-timed loan move.