Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has expressed admiration for teammate Fabio Vieira’s resilience and dedication upon his return to the first team after a period on the sidelines.
Despite being available for selection in the Champions League clash against Porto, Vieira remained unused by manager Mikel Arteta as Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Round of 16.
Vieira had been sidelined since late November due to a groin injury that required surgery. Although he was fit to play against his former club Porto, Arteta opted not to call upon the versatile midfielder.
In the aftermath of the match, Jorginho spoke highly of Vieira’s character and work ethic, stating:
“Fabio is a sensational, hardworking boy, a boy that everyone likes, and we only wish the best for him because he works a lot every day and always wants to improve.”
Highlighting Vieira’s positive influence within the team, Jorginho added: “He’s a player who listens and when the team needs it, gives his opinion. And when the injury happened, everyone was very sad for him, but now he’s back, and we hope he can help the team.”
Fabio Vieira made the switch to Arsenal from Porto in 2022 for a reported fee of £34 million, including add-ons. Despite being primarily a squad player at the Emirates, the versatile midfielder has made significant contributions, with 46 appearances, three goals, and ten assists to his name.
Before his move to the Premier League, Vieira showcased his talent with Porto, tallying 10 goals and 18 assists in 76 games.