Fabio Vieira could be on his way back to Arsenal, thereby cutting short his season-long loan at Porto.
The midfielder, who has started the last seven league games under Vitor Bruno, was entirely left out of Porto’s squad for Saturday’s 4-0 win over Boavista.
Data from flight tracking websites shows that a private jet which took off from Porto landed at London Biggin Hill Airport at 1.03pm on Saturday afternoon. Vieira’s return has not been confirmed by either club.
Arsenal have been stretched for midfield numbers at times this season, having particularly suffered when captain and playmaker Martin Odegaard missed 12 games between September and November due to an ankle injury.
The deeper-lying Mikel Merino was absent for his first few weeks at Arsenal with a shoulder injury while Declan Rice was suspended for the North London Derby following his red card against Brighton in September.
Vieira is a central attacking midfielder by trade but has mostly been used as a right winger while on loan at former club Porto – meaning he will be perfectly capable of filling in for Bukayo Saka. Arteta has meanwhile just learned that Saka has been sidelined for more than two months after he required a procedure on his hamstring this week.
