Transfer Centre

Arsenal outcast confirms desire to reignite Gunners career

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter
Published: 08 July 2024 8:38 AM

'I always do my best' - Arsenal flop to attempt to impress Arteta in pre-season

An out-of-favour Arsenal player reveals that he is eager to make a positive impression on Mikel Arteta during pre-season in an attempt to salvage his Gunners career.

Nuno Tavares has revealed that he still has ambitions to be reintegrated back into Arsenal's first-team squad.

When the full-back arrived from Benfica in 2021, there was hope that the Gunners had found a player who could hold down a spot in the senior ranks for years to come.

During his first campaign, 17 starts and 11 substitute outings would be made in all competitions, a respectable return after signing for £8m.

However, Mikel Arteta was seemingly left unimpressed with some of his performances, resulting in the pursuit of Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

As a result, a loan solution was found for the Portuguese, with a successful stint at Marseille seeing him score six goals from 39 appearances in all competitions.

Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring for Marseille on August 14, 2022 © Reuters

Career downturn since Marseille exit

Since then, though, the 24-year-old has endured a disappointing period, another temporary move to Nottingham Forest not adding any weight to his efforts to make an impact at Arsenal.

Twelve appearances were made in all competitions, Tavares making just one brief substitute outing in the Premier League from February 24 onwards, a part of his absence down to injury.

Tavares is now back at Arsenal with just under 12 months remaining on his contract, the North Londoners hierarchy realistically open to offers rather than wanting to extend his deal.

Nevertheless, speaking to Record, Tavares has revealed his desire to try to earn a second chance under Arteta.

He said: "Yes, obviously, I have in mind to return to Arsenal and have a good pre-season.

"Regardless of what happens in the future, I will always do my best, as I have done in all pre-seasons, to have a place at the club."

Nuno Tavares warms up for Arsenal in April 2022 © Reuters

Is Arteta likely to have a change of heart?

The short answer is no. Arteta has an array of options for the left-hand side of his defence, regardless of if any are sold before the end of August.

Jurrien Timber will be hoping to become first choice on his return from a serious knee injury, while Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all alternatives. There is also the prospect of Riccardo Calafiori arriving from Bologna.

Scotland international Kieran Tierney is another option after a loan stint with Real Sociedad but, like Tavares, the likelihood is that he will be sold during the summer transfer window.