Forgotten Arsenal star who hasn't played for club since 2022 makes waves on loan at new club
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Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares has enjoyed an excellent start to life at his new club Lazio.
The left-back joined the Gunners from Benfica in 2021 but was not able to establish himself as a key starter in his first season.
Tavares has since played on loan at Marseille and Nottingham Forest, with Serie A side Lazio now his third club away from Arsenal.
It’s a move that reportedly features an obligation to buy if sporting conditions are met this season.
The defender last featured for Arsenal in May 2022 but still remains on their books.
And judging by Tavares’ current form at Lazio, he could be on course for a permanent switch to Italy at the end of the campaign.
The defender has assisted three goals in as many appearances, which is already more than his tally of two for Arsenal in all competitions.
Tavares’ assist numbers for Lazio have also come in 25 less matches and against top opposition including AC Milan and Fiorentina.
Speaking after the 24-year-old’s debut against Milan, Lazio boss Marco Baroni predicted a bright future for the summer signing.
“Tavares is a boy with great potential, it’s no coincidence that he was an Arsenal player,” he told Radio Serie A via La Lazio Siamo Noi.
“Beyond that, he’s a boy for whom we now have to create a path. He did very well against Milan, we were waiting for him because he arrived and had a small problem and stopped.
“He played his last match in February last year, so… he’s a boy with great potential, I’m convinced that we’ll create the right fabric and structure for him to give his best and emerge, because he has incredible potential.”
Tavares was an unused substitute in Lazio’s 3-0 Europa League win at Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday but could return against Torino on Sunday.
The Rome-based side currently sit eighth in the Serie A table with two wins and a point above their city rivals Roma after five matches.
Should the obligation to buy requirements not be met, Tavares would face an uncertain future at Arsenal as his contract expires next summer.
He has made 28 appearances for the Gunners, 17 of which have come as starts in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Arsenal currently have Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney as the two natural left-backs in their squad this season.
However, Mikel Arteta has opted to play Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber there instead, with both more well-known as centre-backs.
Academy talent Myles Lewis-Skelly started at left-back for Arsenal on Wednesday night in their 5-1 victory over Bolton in the Carabao Cup.
