Fabio Vieira looks set to leave north London, with talks over a move to Stuttgart signalling the end of his time under Mikel Arteta.
PORTO, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 23: Fabio Vieira of FC Porto looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between FC Porto and Olympiacos FC at Estadio do Dragao on January 23, 2025 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images
Fabio Vieira’s time in north London looks to be drawing to a close. Talks are under way with Stuttgart over a permanent transfer, with Arsenal prepared to cash in at around £30 million, a figure below the €40 million they paid Porto in 2022, but a substantial fee nonetheless. Stuttgart, it seems, want a loan with a purchase clause instead.
Regardless, for Mikel Arteta, the decision seems to be a straightforward one. Vieira has never truly convinced he could impose himself in the Premier League, and there is no sign he will be part of the manager’s future plans.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal celebrates with Fabio Vieira following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
A loan return to Porto last season briefly rekindled his reputation. He showed touches of the vision and technical guile that made him such an attractive prospect three years ago, but not enough to alter his standing at Arsenal.
Injuries, including groin surgery, halted his momentum early. By the time he returned, Arteta’s midfield was functioning smoothly without him, and competition from Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice and others meant his opportunities were reduced to scraps.
Arteta’s system demands relentless intensity, physical robustness and defensive discipline. Vieira, for all his creativity, never quite fitted that mould.
Training reports spoke of inconsistency, and his slight frame too often left him exposed in a league that demands physical strength.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal is tackled by Moises Caicedo of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on November 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
For Arsenal, the logic of moving him on is clear: free up wages, recoup part of their outlay, and create room for players better suited to Arteta’s demands.
For Vieira, a new start in Germany may finally provide the stage he needs. Stuttgart believe his ability to pick passes and unlock deep defences can thrive in the Bundesliga.
Vieira himself has admitted that his time in England made him “a different man”. It also underlined a reality: technical ability is often not enough on its own in a Premier League midfield.
His flashes of quality in Europe and the cups will be remembered, but in the league he never made the impact he would have hoped when he signed.
Related Posts