Arsenal set for injury boost ahead of Champions League return

The Gunners are close to welcoming Fabio Vieira back as they prepare to return to Champions League action next week.

Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira is aiming to return for the opening leg of the club’s last-16 Champions League tie against FC Porto next week.

Vieira, who joined Arsenal from Porto in July 2022 for a €35 million fee, has been injured since the end of November. The 23-year-old had surgery on his groin that month. In this period, he has missed 14 games for Arsenal, but could be on his way back to the team soon.

According to the Evening Standard, Vieira’s recovery is going well. He expects to return to training soon and hopes to be back in the team within the next two weeks.

This will be a big boost for Arsenal, as they have been dealing with injuries in their midfield. Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey are currently sidelined with ankle and thigh injuries. As a result, the Gunners have called up academy players, such as Ethan Nwaneri, to provide more cover.

Nwaneri, who is only 16 years old, made a 13-minute cameo in last Sunday’s 6-0 victory over West Ham in the Premier League.

Before his injury, Vieira made 13 appearances for Arsenal’s first team in all competitions. The midfielder scored a goal in a 5-0 win against Sheffield United in October. He got sent off in his last Premier League match against Burnley, but did return to play one game for the Under-21 team.

Arsenal will play Burnley at Turf Moor this Saturday in their latest Premier League fixture. They will then travel to Portugal to face Porto in the Champions League next Wednesday.