According to Mikel Arteta’s latest update, Fabio Vieira is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season in just under two weeks having not featured for Arsenal since joining the club.

Fabio Vieira has not yet featured for Arsenal since signing from FC Porto for £31.5m.

Not long after he arrived, Vieira was photographed wearing a protective boot and we were all assured that it was nothing to be worried about.

The injury was one that Vieira picked up while on international duty with Portugal’s u21s rather than in training with Arsenal as has been speculated.

“It’s a small injury I picked up one month ago with the national team but now I feel better and in a few days I’ll come back,” Vieira said last week.

Thankfully, the midfielder has now started training but Mikel Arteta admitted after Arsenal’s win over Chelsea that he is not expecting Vieira to return to full training with his new teammates in the next week.

That would mean he will be nowhere near match fit by the time the game against Crystal Palace rolls around.

Asked about Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury problems, Arteta said, “Yeah, Tomi is really close to start doing some training sessions.

“Hopefully next week and Fabio probably a little bit longer.

“I think he needs another week or so before he starts with the team but he’s been working hard and he’s been really unlucky to start his Arsenal career in this way but again he’s fitting in well.”

Arsenal go to Crystal Palace on Friday, August 5.