In an official statement, Arsenal have confirmed the arrival of Nuno Tavares. The Lisboa native joins from SL Benfica for a fee of around €8 million, penning a long-term contract even though the exact length remains undisclosed. Tavares becomes Arsenal‘s first signing of the new season as Mikel Arteta kickstart his major squad overhaul this summer.
The Story So Far
A former member of the Sporting youth academy, Nuno Tavares has been a part of the Benfica side since 2015. He enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence in the youth divisions, eventually being promoted to the senior team in 2019.
A left-back by trade, the 21-year-old has shown a lot of promise during his time at Benfica. He brings a lot of energy to the table, combined with his speed, intensity and attacking prowess. The Portuguese starlet can also be a key source of creativity, particularly with his crosses out wide.
Unfortunately, Tavares has been quite unlucky since his promotion to the first team. He has largely played under the shadow of Alejandro Grimaldo, the first-choice left-back for the Eagles and one of the best fullbacks in Liga Primeira.
Grimaldo’s presence in the first-team has restricted Tavares’ game-time to just 635 minutes this past season. However, it appears the player is ready to showcase his talents at Arsenal, as he finally looks to live up to his potential.
How Does He Fit In At Arsenal?
From a sporting perspective, Nuno Tavares should serve as a direct replacement for Sead Kolasinac. The Bosnian defender clearly has no future at Emirates, especially after a disappointing loan spell at Schalke during the second half of last season.
It won’t be surprising to see him leave Emirates in the summer. But in addition to Kolasinac, Tavares may also replace Ainsley-Maitland Niles, who is another player facing an uncertain future at the club.
It would make the 21-year-old the primary backup for Kieran Tierney at left-back. However, there is a chance that the Portuguese may even operate as a first-team regular, should Mikel Arteta opt for a three-man system, with Tierney operating at left centre-back.
The Scot’s defence-oriented game should combine well with the blistering pace and attacking prowess of Nuno Tavares. It should ultimately add more variety to the Arsenal defence, whereas the former Benfica youngster can also cover for Hector Bellerin on the opposite flank.
Therefore, it is safe to say that Tavares could turn out to be a sensible investment for the Gunners, as he can offer the ideal back-up and versatility in Arteta’s new-look Arsenal setup.
