Oleksandr Zinchenko’s addition to the Arsenal squad is going to push Nuno Tavares down the pecking order but according to a report in Sport Witness, the full-back does not want to chicken out and leave.
He’s not been able to impress Mikel Arteta since his move from Benfica last summer but now Olympique Marseille have given him a new lifeline by offering to take him up on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.
However, it looks like Nuno Tavares has no intention of leaving as he wishes to remain and fight the likes of Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney for a place in the starting lineup.
🚨 @Sport_Witness says Nuno Tavares (22) is not keen to make a move out of Arsenal. He wants to stay and fight for his place on the team at the Emirates. #afc pic.twitter.com/U30yy4hoC0
— AFC Report (@afcreport14) July 18, 2022
Should Nuno Tavares be sensible and agree to a loan exit?
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Zinchenko and once the personal terms are finalised, the Ukrainian will join the Gunners officially. Once he arrives, Nuno Tavares will hardly get a sniff into the first XI next season.
Romano wrote on Twitter: “Oleksandr Zinchenko update. There’s an agreement between Arsenal and Man City since Friday, £30m. Talks still ongoing on personal terms – the clubs want final decision within this week.
“Zinchenko, keen on joining Arsenal – but contract details are still being discussed.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko update. There’s an agreement between Arsenal and Man City since Friday, £30m. Talks still ongoing on personal terms – the clubs want final decision within this week ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Zinchenko, keen on joining Arsenal – but contract details are still being discussed. pic.twitter.com/QHS2Y8C9ZW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 18, 2022
Arteta knows very well what Zinchenko will bring to the table and if the Man City man can hit peak form then even Kieran Tierney is going to struggle to get game time next season.
The only reason why Tavares got to play in 22 Premier League games last season was due to the injuries that Tierney had suffered but if the Scottish international can keep himself injury-free then Tavares will only be warming the benches for the next 10 months.
So it makes no sense for someone like Nuno Tavares to put up a brave face and remain at Arsenal for one more season when he already has a club who’s willing to take him on loan.
He would much rather join Olympique Marseille and revive his faltering career over the course of the next campaign.
