Fabio Vieira back to Arsenal? Porto manager rubbishes loan exit talk and explains why he dropped playmaker due to 'principles'

Vieira joined Arsenal for a reported fee of €40 million (£34.2m/$41.7m) from Porto in 2022, however, the Portuguese midfielder struggled to find his feet at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta and decided to head back to Estadio do Dragao in the summer on a year-long loan. The 24-year-old had been hopeful to turn around his situation and potentially impress the Gunners enough to head back into the Premier League side.

Vieira had started in Porto’s last five matches but was left out of the squad entirely for their 4-0 win at home to Boavista which has triggered rumours that the 24-year-old was heading back to Arsenal in January. However, Porto boss Bruno has claimed that he dropped the midfielder due to 'certain principles'.

Speaking to the media, Bruno said: "I have to make decisions, pay close attention to the players’ performance and how they view their day-to-day activities.

"Fabio is very talented but talent has to be based on a series of pre-conditions. And when one or two of them end up falling apart, it makes everything more difficult.

"He has immense potential and I have a large squad that offers me guarantees, I cannot give up on certain principles that are mine.

"I don’t need to pass on any message. Fabio knows me well and we are counting on him. He will be available to play again next week. So it is a question of making decisions."

When asked about the 24-year-old's loan potentially being cut short at Porto and whether Vieira will stay at the club for the season, Bruno added: "Of course.

"I’ll repeat what I said in the flash interview… for us, talent has to be based on foundations that cannot abandon the condition of an athlete and, when that is lacking, I have to make decisions.

"Fabio has a lot of talent and will be available next week. I have a large squad that offers guarantees and, even if I didn’t, there are assumptions that I cannot give up. He knows that and we are here for him."