Arsenal future in doubt as 23yo called ‘a problem’

Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares’ future at the club appears uncertain after an underwhelming loan spell at Marseille this season where he was sent to prove himself.

Struggling to find consistency for at least the last fifteen games, Tavares has left the Marseille faithful exasperated, with former player, Eric Di Meco, expressing his frustrations on the programme Football Club de Marseille.

“I have a problem with this boy because when you look at his season, he is absent from the big games. He has too many defensive weaknesses and unfortunately when you come across good players in front, it’s complicated,” Di Meco said.

Not only have his performances been criticised, but Tavares has also faced issues off the pitch.

Reports suggest that he’s had a falling out with Marseille coach Igor Tudor, who removed the Portuguese defender from a training session due to lack of effort.

This incident has reportedly led to a considerable deterioration in their relationship.

Tavares’ issues continued in a match against Auxerre, where Tudor displayed his anger towards the player for not putting in the necessary defensive effort. A recent match against Lens only added fuel to the fire, as Tavares failed to redeem himself.

According to La Provence, Marseille president Pablo Longoria has made the final decision not to negotiate with Arsenal to bring Tavares back to the French club. It seems that Tavares’ time at Marseille is coming to an end.

As Tavares prepares to return to Arsenal at the end of the season, questions remain about his future with the club.

With his inconsistent performances and issues off the field, it remains to be seen whether he can secure a place in the Gunners’ squad or if another loan spell awaits him.

Both Tavares and Arsenal will be pondering what comes next.

Tavres was signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2021 from S.L. Benfica. Born on January 26, 2000, in Lisbon, Portugal, Tavares began his football journey at a young age, eventually joining Benfica’s youth academy in 2015.

He progressed through the ranks at Benfica and made his debut for the senior team in the 2019-20 season. Tavares quickly made an impression with his strong attacking instincts, versatility, and ability to play as both a left-back and right-back. During his time at Benfica, he made a total of 41 appearances, scoring one goal and providing seven assists.

Tavares represented Portugal at various youth levels, including the Under-18, Under-19, and Under-21 teams. His performances at Benfica caught the eye of several European clubs, including Arsenal, who were in search of a left-back to provide competition and cover for Kieran Tierney.

In July 2021, Arsenal announced the signing of Nuno Tavares on a long-term contract for a reported fee of around £7 million. Arsenal fans had high hopes for the young Portuguese defender, but his inconsistent performances and subsequent loan spell at Marseille have raised questions about his future at the club.