Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira is “optimistic” about playing for the first team again within the next fortnight, according to the Evening Standard.

The Portuguese international has not made an appearance since undergoing an operation back in November.

Vieira sustained a groin injury and surgery was needed to make sure that he could recover full fitness. At the time, manager Mikel Arteta said that the player would be back after the winter break.

However, despite being pictured training with the squad in Dubai at the club’s warm-weather training camp last month, he was still not ready to return to action.

At the beginning of January, Arteta said that “two different things” needed to be done in the operation which made Vieira’s recovery more complicated. However, it appears he is finally on the mend.

When could Vieira make his comeback?

The Evening Standard claim that the 23-year-old could even make the matchday squad for the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Porto next week.

As Vieira would be facing his former club, there would be extra motivation for him to be fit for that fixture. He signed from the Portuguese side for £34m in the summer of 2022.

How many other Arsenal players are on the treatment table?

Six first-team stars, in addition to Vieira, are currently sidelined. However, Takehiro Tomisyasu is expected to return from a minor knock very soon.

Emile Smith Rowe is unlikely to be out for too long either, having missed the 6-0 victory against West Ham with an ankle injury. There is less certainty about when Gabriel Jesus (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Thomas Partey (thigh) and Jurrien Timber (ACL) will make their comebacks.

From the looks of things, though, it seems that manager Mikel Arteta will be able to call upon the services of Vieira again in the near future.