The Portuguese midfielder was loaned to FC Porto at the start of the season, aiming to reignite his form and earn a return to Mikel Arteta’s plans at Emirates Stadium.
However, despite a promising start, Vieira has yet to convincingly demonstrate that he can elevate his game to meet Arsenal’s expectations.
While Vieira has shown glimpses of quality at Porto, his performances have not been consistent enough to persuade supporters that he is ready to take a significant step forward.
According to a report from The Just Arsenal, the club’s valuation of Vieira remains a sticking point, making a permanent move challenging. Porto may be interested in retaining him, but Arsenal’s asking price could prove prohibitive, and Vieira has not yet done enough to justify a return to North London.
His recent display at the FIFA Club World offered a crucial opportunity to impress Arsenal officials. Unfortunately, his performance in Porto’s opening match against Palmeiras did little to bolster his case. Serving as the most experienced Porto attacker in that game, Vieira appeared indecisive and failed to influence the outcome meaningfully.
A Portuguese publication, A Bola, rated his performance a modest five out of ten, criticizing his hesitance and lack of risk-taking in attack.
Statistically, Vieira’s performance against Palmeiras was underwhelming. According to Sofascore, he recorded just one shot on target, one shot off target, completed 18 of 21 passes, lost six possessions, and did not attempt any dribbles subpar for a player of his talent. His inability to make impactful plays raises questions about his readiness to step up on the big stage.
Looking ahead, Porto faces Inter Miami on June 19th in the Club World Cup, where Vieira will need to significantly improve his game. Last season, he scored four goals and provided four assists in 26 league appearances, indicating potential.
However, to secure a future at Arsenal or elsewhere, Vieira must translate that potential into consistent performances and prove he can be a decisive contributor rather than just a promising talent.
