Under Mikel Arteta’s management, Arsenal have been progressing steadily and now have a strong squad that positions them as a competitive Premier League team. However, a key decision from Arteta over the summer has sparked some curiosity: allowing Nuno Tavares to leave on loan.
Currently excelling at Lazio, Tavares has shown glimpses of his potential, but his recent successes in Serie A may not be enough to secure him a long-term future with Arsenal.
Tavares’ time at Arsenal was mixed—he displayed flashes of skill and promise, yet struggled with consistency, especially in maintaining defensive discipline. Arteta’s tactical approach places a high premium on defensive reliability in his full-backs, favoring those who can demonstrate stability and discipline.
While Tavares offered an offensive edge, his defensive lapses possibly made him less dependable in Arteta’s system, ultimately influencing the manager’s choice to look for other options in the left-back role.
One such alternative is Riccardo Calafiori, recently signed by Arsenal, who seems to align more closely with Arteta’s defensive vision for full-backs. Calafiori’s arrival suggests that Arsenal is focused on a structured, defensively strong approach for their left-back position, in line with Arteta’s broader tactical blueprint.
While Tavares has tallied an impressive seven assists this season at Lazio, underscoring his offensive talent, Arteta’s strategy demands full-backs with a robust defensive focus, which likely explains Tavares’ limited role within the Arsenal squad.
From a business perspective, Tavares’ successful loan to Lazio could be advantageous for Arsenal. His strong performances in Italy have the potential to boost his market value, providing Arsenal with leverage for future transfer negotiations if they choose to sell him permanently.
Despite his ongoing success at Lazio, it appears unlikely that Tavares will rejoin the Arsenal squad unless there are unexpected tactical adjustments or injury needs. For now, Arteta appears satisfied with his current left-back options, leaving Tavares’ future with the club uncertain.
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