Mikel Arteta has £34m secret weapon for Porto amid Arsenal chance given

Arsenal will continue their UEFA Champions League campaign in 2024 when they take on Portuguese giants FC Porto in the round of 16. The Gunners were drawn against the 2004-winners in Monday's draw in Switzerland after finishing top of their group.

Fortunately for Mikel Arteta's side, they escaped a potential red flag of a draw with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan avoided. Napoli and RB Leipzig were also left in the pot when the north Londoners came out, handing them a kind draw.

Vieira, 23, joined the club in 2022 for £34million after emerging through Porto's academy. The playmaker had scored 10 goals and assisted a further 18 at the Estadio do Dragao but has struggled to adapt to English football since.

He has made over 45 appearances, contributing to 13 goals in total. However, after being a constant off the bench this season, Vieira has missed the last five Premier League games due to suspension and injury.

It's been fair to say that his career in England hasn't really taken off yet, but he fits the bill perfectly for what Arteta wants. Speaking last year, he said: "We were looking for players that could play in three positions in the frontline and in the attacking midfielder positions," he said. "We were looking for very specific qualities in the market and when I saw him, I really liked what I saw.

"Straight away, I was convinced that he was a player who can help us go to the next level and that he had the right personality and character to play for our club. It’s a shame that we detected an injury when we were doing the medical. He had no pre-season and everything has been delayed, but hopefully you’re going to see a lot more of him in the next few weeks, and I’m sure that you’ll enjoy it."

Vieira is currently out with a groin injury but is due to return to action in the New Year. He will be itching to return to full fitness to ensure he's fit to return to his former side.

To Arsenal's advantage, Arteta can use his experience with the Porto squad to aid them. Not much has changed at the club since he left and after the Gunners were knocked out by Sporting CP in the Europa League last year, the Gunners will be hoping to avoid a surprise exit.

And for Vieira, the clash gives him the opportunity to show Arteta exactly what he's worth ahead of a vital end of the 2023/24 season.