'We don’t expect him back' — Arteta confirms key player out for the year with injury

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira has picked up an injury that will require surgery and is expected to be out for “weeks” as a result.

Arteta confirmed the injury in a pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash with Lens at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Vieira's injury is not necessarily a blow for the Gunners who have an abundance of talent in midfield but the Portuguese has contributed two goals and four assists in 14 games across all competitions so far.

Mikel Arteta gave the confirmation that Fabio Vieira will require surgery to fix his groin injury and the midfielder will be out for weeks, most likely until the new year.

“We’ve got a problem with him. He’s been having some discomfort. He wasn’t improving and we sent him to a specialist, the advice was to have an operation which we did yesterday. We expect him to be out for weeks now,” Arteta said.

The 23-year-old, signed in the summer of 2022 from Porto but has failed to establish himself as a key player for the Gunners having to settle for appearances off the bench.