Fabio Vieira, the Portuguese midfielder who arrived at Arsenal with much fanfare in 2022, finds himself in a curious position.

Despite flashes of his undoubted talent, his playing time has never gathered pace under the shadow of Martin Ødegaard’s midfield dominance. Now, reports suggest AS Monaco are circling, offering Vieira a loan deal for the remainder of the season.

Fabio Vieira’s Arsenal journey has been a mixed bag. His €35 million arrival from FC Porto in 2022 raised expectations, with many envisioning him as a vital cog in the Gunners’ midfield machine. In total, he has contributed three goals and 10 assists in 46 games, averaging a goal or assist every 140 minutes.

However, he has never been able to stake a claim to a regular starting spot. This season, he has managed only 417 minutes spread across 13 appearances, although that number would undoubtedly be higher if he hadn’t been out since the end of November following groin surgery. Expected back last week, it now looks like it will be mid-February before we see him again.

Despite Monaco’s interest, which has already seen them contact Arsenal, The Gunners’ current transfer priorities lie elsewhere.

Strengthening their defence remains the club’s main focus, making it highly unlikely Arsenal will sanction Vieira’s departure unless a suitable replacement arrives.