MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 14:05:12| >> :120:4943:4943:

Arsenal outcast confirms desire to reignite Gunners career

'I always do my best' - Arsenal flop to attempt to impress Arteta in pre-season
© Reuters
An out-of-favour Arsenal player reveals he is eager to make a positive impression on Mikel Arteta during pre-season in an attempt to salvage his Gunners career.

Nuno Tavares has revealed that he still has ambitions to be reintegrated back into Arsenal's first-team squad.

When the full-back arrived from Benfica in 2021, there was hope that the Gunners had found a player who could hold down a spot in the senior ranks for years to come.

During his first campaign, 17 starts and 11 substitute outings would be made in all competitions, a respectable return after signing for £8m.

However, Mikel Arteta was seemingly left unimpressed with some of his performances, resulting in the pursuit of Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

As a result, a loan solution was found for the Portuguese, with a successful stint at Marseille seeing him score six goals from 39 appearances in all competitions.

Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring for Marseille on August 14, 2022© Reuters

Career downturn since Marseille exit

Since then, though, the 24-year-old has endured a disappointing period, with another temporary move to Nottingham Forest not adding any weight to his efforts to make an impact at Arsenal.

Twelve appearances were made in all competitions, Tavares making just one brief substitute outing in the Premier League from February 24 onwards, a part of his absence down to injury.

Tavares is now back at Arsenal with just under 12 months remaining on his contract, the North Londoners hierarchy realistically open to offers rather than wanting to extend his deal.

Nevertheless, speaking to Record, Tavares has revealed his desire to try to earn a second chance under Arteta.

He said: "Yes, obviously, I have in mind to return to Arsenal and have a good pre-season.

"Regardless of what happens in the future, I will always do my best, as I have done in all pre-seasons, to have a place at the club."

Nuno Tavares warms up for Arsenal in April 2022© Reuters

Is Arteta likely to have a change of heart?

The short answer is no. Arteta has an array of options for the left-hand side of his defence, regardless of if any are sold before the end of August.

Jurrien Timber will be hoping to become first choice on his return from a serious knee injury, while Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all alternatives. There is also the prospect of Riccardo Calafiori arriving from Bologna.

Scotland international Kieran Tierney is another option after a loan stint with Real Sociedad but, like Tavares, the likelihood is that he will be sold during the summer transfer window.

ID:547700:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4459:

Click here for more stories about Mikel Arteta

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on May 19, 2024
Read Next:
In-demand defender 'open' to joining Arsenal over PL rivals?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!