Arsenal's Nuno Tavares 'kicked out of Marseille training for lack of effort'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 02 April 2023

Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares - currently on loan at Marseille - is reportedly banished from Olympiens training by Igor Tudor for a lack of effort.

Marseille defender Nuno Tavares - on loan from Arsenal - was recently kicked out of a training session with Les Olympiens due to a lack of effort, according to a report.

The Portuguese left-back has made a positive impression in the final third of the field during his time in France, scoring six goals in 25 top-flight appearances from his wing-back role.

However, as was the case during his debut season with Arsenal, Tavares's defensive contributions have left a lot to be desired and have been the subject of constant criticism.

The 23-year-old has largely retained the trust of Igor Tudor, though, and he played every minute of their short-lived Champions League campaign in the group stages.

Tavares has also completed the full 90 minutes in each of Marseille's last six Ligue 1 matches, including a 1-1 draw with Montpellier HSC on Friday evening.

Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring for Marseille on August 7, 2022 © Reuters

However, a report from L'Equipe alleges that Tavares was recently booted out of a training session by Tudor, who was left aggrieved at the defender's laziness during practice.

Tavares is not alone on the naughty step, though, as the report claims that right-wing back Jonathan Clauss has also felt the wrath of Tudor for his own lack of effort on the training pitches.

Tudor recently spoke at length with the French publication, during which he revealed that an unnamed player was banished to the locker room for failing to meet his demands during practice.

Tavares is rumoured to have been the player in question, with Tudor explaining: "In my football, there is a feature, you have to run.

"And if you don't... If I see one player that doesn't run in training, I'll say it once, twice and then on the third time of asking, I'll intervene.

Nuno Tavares in action for Arsenal in July 2022 © Reuters

"During the hour or so of training, I am demanding, the players have understood it. But if they want rest days, I can give them some too. And we can joke or laugh, but work is work."

Tavares has made a total of 33 appearances for Marseille during a largely productive loan spell, as Les Olympiens lie third in the Ligue 1 table - level on points with Lens and six adrift of Paris Saint-Germain.

The left-back's loan deal with Marseille does not include an option or obligation to make his stay permanent, and as things stand he will be back at Arsenal for the 2023-24 season.

Kieran Tierney's season-ending injury last term saw Tavares feature regularly in the first XI during the final weeks of the campaign, ending his maiden year at Arsenal with one goal and two assists from 28 matches.

The former Benfica starlet is contracted to the Gunners until the end of the 2024-25 season, and he could be given the chance to prove himself under Mikel Arteta if Tierney leaves in the summer amid links with Newcastle United.