Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained that Fabio Vieira’s injury has become a big “problem” for the Gunners as he does not expect the Portuguese playmaker to return until 2024. Vieira has undergone an operation on his groin and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines, even though many had predicted him to return for their upcoming Champions League tie with Lens on Wednesday.
Vieira served the first of his three-match suspension during Saturday’s win away to Brentford, having been sent off against Burnley before the international break.
That ban only applied to domestic matches, however, as Vieira could have returned to the team as Ligue 1 side Lens travel to the Emirates. But his injury rules him out of the match and the remainder of the calendar year.
“Yeah we’ve got a problem with him,” Arteta said regarding Vieira. “He’s been having some discomfort. We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. He did that yesterday. We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break.”
Defender Ben White had missed the last two matches but Arteta was more positive on the England man’s chances of featuring in Europe. “He trained the day before the Brentford game and was feeling good I think he’ll be available for this game,” he said. “That’s very good news for us.”
While Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe could even return before January. “It is a possibility,” Arteta added. “Emile has already been on the pitch doing some jogging. He’s a quick healer. Thomas the same. We need them to be back at their best.”
Vieira’s injury has come at an unfortunate time for the 23-year-old, as there is a place in Arsenal’s midfield up for grabs alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
Partey’s injury has seen a host of players, including Vieira, tried on the left of a midfield trio. Leandro Trossard was given the nod at Brentford, while Kai Havertz came off the bench to score the winning goal.
Havertz especially will have a new-found confidence and belief that with Partey and now Vieira sidelined over the festive period, he has a chance of nailing down that spot in Arteta’s favoured line-up.