Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira is hoping to make the squad for the first leg of the Gunners’ last-16 Champions League tie in Porto next week.

Vieira underwent groin surgery in November but he is stepping up his recovery and is close to returning to full training.

The 23-year-old is optimistic he can make his comeback over the next fortnight after not playing for three months.

Vieira’s return will be a boost for Arsenal, who have been hit hard by injuries in midfield recently.

Emile Smith Rowe missed Sunday’s win over West Ham with an ankle issue and Thomas Partey is still recovering from a thigh injury picked up in October.

That forced Arteta to have three academy players on the bench last weekend and 16-year-old Ethan Nwaneri came on to play the final 15 minutes in midfield.

Vieira had featured in eight of Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games before his injury and scored in a 5-0 win over Sheffield United in October.

He was sent off in his last League game for the Gunners - a 3-1 win over Burnley in November - but played and scored for the club’s Under-21 side three days later.

Vieira had been feeling discomfort in his groin earlier on in the season, but it had originally been hoped the issue could be solved without having surgery.

The pain did not go away, however, with Arsenal and the midfielder agreeing he should go under the knife at the end of November.