Fabio Vieira explains shock decision to leave Arsenal and rejoin Porto

Fabio Vieira has revealed it was his idea to rejoin Porto on loan in an attempt to kickstart his career following two ‘difficult’ years at Arsenal.

The Portugal Under-21 international has shown only flashes of the ability that persuaded the Gunners to pay £32 million for him back in the summer of 2022.

Injuries have played a part in the talented playmaker’s lack of progression but it seemed he was set for a more prominent role this season following Arsenal’s decision to part company with Emile Smith Rowe.

Vieira, however, has decided that a return to his boyhood club on a temporary basis represents his best chance of returning to the sort of form that marked him out as such a promising talent before his move to the Premier League.

‘The idea of returning came from me. I love this club and I’m going to give everything on the pitch,’ Vieira told O Jogo.

‘I’m happy, obviously, it’s my home. I’m looking forward to being at the stadium, playing in front of these fans and doing the best I can for this club this season.

‘It was a chance that, above all, came to me because it was something I already wanted: to play. I had a difficult time in England, an operation, and at this moment I felt that FC Porto was a good opportunity to continue growing and developing.

‘I felt that this was the right place to do it this season.’

Vieira’s departure was partially offset by the deadline day arrival of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea, and the experienced winger raring to get started at his new club who face Tottenham in the north London derby after the international break.

‘It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person,’ he said.

‘Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going.

‘It’s time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark.’