David Ornstein: 24y/o Arsenal star heading out amid impending Merino arrival & Nwaneri emergence | OneFootball

Arsenal attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira is heading back to FC Porto on loan for the rest of the season after the Portuguese club reached an agreement with the Gunners for the 24-year-old, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

Vieira joined the Gunners in the summer of 2022 but has struggled to play regularly over the last 12 months, making just 16 appearances across all competitions last term having played 33 times in his debut season.

The Arsenal star will struggle for further playing chances this term due to the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri and the impending arrival of Spain international midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.

Vieira will not be included in the matchday squad for the trip to Aston Villa tomorrow, with his former club looking to finalise his return as soon as possible.

The Portugal youth international has three years left on the deal he signed when he joined Arsenal in a £34 million deal two years ago.

He will hope he can do enough back at Porto to convince manager Mikel Arteta of his quality, but that could prove tricky with the current options available to the Spaniard.

The Portuguese club could look to re-sign him permanently if he impresses, or a move elsewhere could be on the cards if suitors emerge for his services next summer.

It is too early to conclude that Vieira has played his last game for Arsenal, but it will take plenty of top performances from him over the coming months for a return to happen.

More temporary and permanent departures are also expected at the North London club in the coming days as the Gunners look to trim their squad ahead of transfer deadline day.

English striker Eddie Nketiah is set to join Nottingham Forest in a £30m deal, while out-of-favour goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale wants to move to where he is guaranteed a starting berth, with both loan and permanent exits mooted.