Darren Bent shares honest Fabio Vieira verdict as Arsenal exit looms

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Arsenal are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

In terms of new recruits, the Gunners have signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and look set to add Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino to their ranks.

Arsenal have also been busy on the outgoings front over the past few months.

The Gunners have already let several first-teamers leave this summer, such as Emile Smith Rowe, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

More could soon follow, with Fabio Vieira now in line to re-join Porto on loan, according to reports.

Darren Bent has now had his say on the prospect of Vieira departing the Emirates Stadium for the time being.

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Darren Bent happy with Fabio Vieira loan away from Arsenal

“I think Fabio Vieira has to (leave),” he told talkSPORT (24/8/2024, 6:24pm). “He did better at the start of last year, but not great.

“There are still options. Jorginho is still there, they’ve got Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Nwaneri, we are talking about Ethan Nwaneri, young kid.

“I think there is talent there, even Trossard can go there and play as a 10. So there are options in there, but of course, we haven’t mentioned Merino coming in.

“So there are options there. Trust me, he had to go and play.”

Bad omen for Vieira’s Arsenal future as loan move looms at 24

Vieira signed for Arsenal from Porto for £34.2million in 2022.

He arrived to considerable fanfare due to the transfer fee, his talent, his potential, and the fact he shares a surname with a Highbury legend.

However, Vieira hasn’t managed to force his way into the Arsenal starting XI, with just 49 appearances in all competitions in the past two years.

His contract runs until 2027 and there haven’t been any suggestions regarding an option or obligation to buy.

With that in mind, Vieira may still have a future at N5, but if he’s leaving on loan at 24 years of age, it’s not the best of omens.

One thing is a loan when a player is young and he needs to get experience, and another is when a player at an age when he should already be an established squad member goes out on loan.