Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Fabio Vieira has undergone an operation on a groin injury and will be out for "weeks".
The Portuguese playmaker was a notable absentee from the Gunners' training session on Tuesday, as Arteta's men gear up for their Champions League clash with Lens tomorrow evening.
Vieira missed the weekend's 1-0 Premier League win over Brentford due to suspension, having seen red against Burnley before the international break, incurring a three-match ban in the process.
The former Porto man would have been eligible to return to action in Europe this week, but speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference, Arteta revealed that Vieira was forced to go under the knife to address his issue after alternative treatments failed.
Arteta did not put a timeframe on Vieira's return, but he does not expect the 23-year-old to make a full recovery for weeks, likely ruling him out for the remainder of the calendar year.
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"Yeah, we've got a problem with him. He's been having some discomfort and we tried to have alternative treatment with him, and he wasn't improving so we've sent him to see a specialist and that was to get an operation done in his groin, and we did that yesterday. We're expecting him to be out for weeks now. " Arteta told the media.
When asked about the possibility of Vieira returning before 2024, Arteta added: "We don't expect him to do that [be back this side of the break], so let's see how he evolves and obviously, the operation was done yesterday so we're going to have to wait and see, but we will take it as it comes."
However, the Spaniard had better news to share on Ben White, who was not involved in the team session on Tuesday and instead did individual work with a strength and conditioning coach.
The England international missed the win over Burnley before the international break after sustaining a knock against Sevilla, but he was able to come off the bench in the dying embers of the Gunners' win over Brentford at the weekend.
"Yes, and he trained the day before the Brentford game, and he was feeling good, and I think he'll be available. That's very good news for us," Arteta said on White's fitness.
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Vieira joins Jurrien Timber (knee), Emile Smith Rowe (knee) and Thomas Partey (thigh) in the medical room, and Arteta was also asked for an update on the latter two at London Colney, but he remained coy over their chances of a comeback in early January.
"It is a possibility but it will depend on how they evolve. Emile has been already on the pitch doing some jogging, so I don't know how long it's going to take," Arteta added.
"Normally he is a quick healer, and Thomas is the same. We have to make sure that when they come back they are at their best as well. We don't want to rush them, but at the same time the team needs them because at the moment we are missing some key, key players."
Arsenal have amassed nine points from four Champions League outings so far this season, and they could qualify for the last 16 before kickoff on Wednesday if Sevilla beat PSV Eindhoven earlier that evening.
Should that scenario not materialise, Arsenal would only need a point to ensure progression, while a victory would send them through to the knockout rounds as group winners with a game to spare.
Ben Knapton
