Fabio Vieira sends message to Arsenal fans amid injury scare

Fabio Vieira has played down fears he is carrying a major injury after the new Arsenal signing was pictured wearing a medical boot earlier this week.

Arsenal moved swiftly to secure the shock £34million transfer of the former Porto midfielder last month.

The first wave of players returned to London Colney this week for the start of pre-season training, but Vieira was not among that group.

Pictures subsequently emerged on social media which showed the 22-year-old wearing a protective boot on his left foot, but the creative midfielder insists it was just a precaution.

He wrote on Instagram: ‘Relax guys… it’s just a precaution! I’m all okay and will be joining the Arsenal team for pre-season very soon.’

Arsenal face Nurnberg in a pre-season friendly next Friday, but that is likely to come too soon for Vieira to make his non-competitive debut.

When he returns to fitness, however, he will provide competition for the likes of Martin Odegaard, who was forced to carry the creative burden last season.

‘I am very excited that we have identified and signed such a special talent,’ said manager Mikel Arteta after Arsenal completed the signing of the Portugal Under-21 international.

‘Fabio is a very creative player that will bring high quality and versatility to our attacking play.

‘We welcome Fabio and his family to our club and are looking forward to starting work with him ahead of the new season.’

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