Headlines

2 goals & 7 assists in 7 games โ€“ Forgotten Arsenal man is proving Arteta wrong in stunning loan spell

Arsenal continue to make big strides under the leadership of Mikel Arteta and having formed a very competitive squad in North London, the Spaniard may have made a mistake by allowing Nuno Tavares to leave during the summer.

 

Nuno Tavaresโ€™ impressive performances at Lazio highlight his potential, but they may not be enough to secure a future at Arsenal. Despite his current success in Serie A, it appears Mikel Arteta has moved on from the Portuguese left-back. Tavaresโ€™ time at Arsenal has been mixed; while he showed glimpses of his abilities, he struggled with consistency and defensive responsibilities, which are crucial in Artetaโ€™s system.

Arsenalโ€™s recent signing of Riccardo Calafiori suggests a long-term plan for the left-back role, with the club likely viewing the young Italian as a better fit for Artetaโ€™s tactical demands. Even though Tavaresโ€™ seven assists for Lazio this season indicate his attacking contributions, Artetaโ€™s preference for more disciplined, defensively solid full-backs could mean that Tavares is not seen as the ideal solution for the Gunners.

 

Ultimately, Tavaresโ€™ loan performances may boost his market value, giving Arsenal a stronger position to negotiate a permanent transfer next summer. While his time in Italy is proving successful, it seems unlikely that heโ€™ll make a return to North London unless thereโ€™s a significant change in Arsenalโ€™s tactical needs or injuries open up new possibilities.