Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieria has been forced to withdraw from the Under-21s European Championship after picking up an injury, the Portuguese Football Federation have confirmed.
The 23-year-old was due to captain the side in Georgia and Romania after being named in Rui Jorge's squad alongside fellow Gunners star Nuno Tavares.
However, it has now been confirmed that Vieira would miss the tournament and has been replaced by Chelsea transfer target Diego Moreira. A statement from the Portuguese Football Federation read: "The captain of the Equipe das Quinas [Vieira] presents a medical condition that, after evaluation and follow-up by the FPF's Health and Performance United (USP), it was decided not to make the player available for the Under-21 Euro.
"Since he returned from England, the midfielder has been monitored by USP, having fulfilled the stipulated recovery plan. However, his situation is not having the expected evolution so that he can participate in the competition."
Vieria's withdrawal from this summer's tournament - that takes place between June 21 and July 8 - is another blow in his troubling year. The playmaker has struggled to secure a regular role in Mikel Arteta's side since joining for £34million.
He only started three Premier League games in total, with his final start of the season against Southampton ending after 57 minutes. "It was a difficult match for a lot of players but for Fabio, he hasn't played enough minutes," Arteta said after the 3-3 draw.
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"He had good periods but the way the game starts as well, instead of going one or two-nil up, and everything goes in your favour, it starts to go in a much more difficult way. That doesn’t help."
Vieira's injury will come as a major blow for Arsenal. The Gunners are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, with Declan Rice and Romeo Lavia amongst the targets.
After Vieira suffered a difficult first season in England, a huge pre-season would have been ideal in him giving him the best chance of featuring next season. However, with the club returning to the Champions League, minutes will prove difficult to come by.
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