7 assists in 7 games – 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 Tavares’ 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. Tavares’ time at Arsenal has been mixed; while he showed glimpses of his abilities, he struggled with consistency and defensive responsibilities, which are crucial in Arteta’s system.

Arsenal’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 Arteta’s tactical demands. Even though Tavares’ seven assists for Lazio this season indicate his attacking contributions, Arteta’s preference for more disciplined, defensively solid full-backs could mean that Tavares is not seen as the ideal solution for the Gunners.

Ultimately, Tavares’ 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 he’ll make a return to North London unless there’s a significant change in Arsenal’s tactical needs or injuries open up new possibilities.