Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Currently on loan at Marseille, Nuno Tavares has claimed that Arsenal refused to include an option to buy in his loan deal.
THE LOWDOWN: FINDING FORM AT MARSEILLE
Nuno Tavares featured in 28 games across all competitions for the Gunners in the absence of the first choice left back Kieran Tierney last season.
But his shaky and erratic performances forced the North London outfit to send him out on loan to Marseille this summer, while bringing in Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.
Since his move, he has played in all of Marseille’s league games, starting five of them. While on Arsenal’s part, the Gunners have won five of their opening six games of the new season and are currently top of the Premier League log.
THE LATEST: HAPPY IN HIS NEW SURROUNDINGS
Marseille defender Nuno Tavares has said he wanted his loan move from Arsenal to include an option to buy, but was ‘refused’ one by the Gunners
Speaking to RMC Sport, the defender said: “At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me that’s not even the point.”
“I came to Marseille to finally be able to play in my position. When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused. With my agents, we always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn’t.”
“Now I’m at OM, and with or without an option, I’m happy. At Arsenal, I would have probably only played in the cup.”
The Portuguese youngster has already made an impact in France, with three goals in his first six games.
THE VERDICT: GOOD FOR HIM
Tavares probably has every right to be angry that he didn’t play more league games in the 2021/22 campaign. However, when he was given his chance, his performances were not convincing enough.
The decision to send him out on loan is to help him get back to shape and possibly come back to make an impact in the future. He can take a cue from William Saliba’s time there and grow to become a better player for Arsenal in the years to come.
It is good to see him finding form again in France and Arsenal will be hoping he gets better over the course of the season.
