A few big names could leave Arsenal this summer amid doubts over the future of Thomas Partey – while Oleksandr Zinchenko is a target for Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich.
England international Aaron Ramsdale is also up for sale after losing his No.1 shirt to David Raya.
However, one Arsenal player who Mikel Arteta apparently wants to sell will not be leaving without a fight, by the sounds of it…
Nuno Tavares defiant over Arsenal future
Speaking to Portuguese news outlet Record, Nuno Tavares has now revealed he will be looking to impress during pre-season and fight to “have a place” at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old said: “Yes, obviously, I have in mind to return to Arsenal and have a good pre-season. I will always do my best, as I have done in all pre-seasons, to have a place at the club.
“I always try to do my work in the best way. Then it’s up to the club to decide whether I’m a valid option or not, but I have a strong mentality. I know what I’m capable of. Sometimes things don’t depend on us, but my job is to focus on myself and do what I do best… I know my value and I don’t let anything affect me. I trust my work.”
Nuno Tavares of Notts Forest looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on September ...
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
These comments come after Corriere dello Sport revealed that Tavares has been put up for sale by Arsenal this summer, following a disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season.
The man from Lisboa made just five Premier League starts for the Reds last term.
24-year-old might be wasting his own time
In our view, Tavares is going to struggle for playing time next season even if he does enjoy a strong pre-season, given the level of competition on the left of Arteta’s backline.
Arsenal are just about to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, a central defender who can also play on the left, almost the opposite version of Ben White.
Transfermarkt shows that the 22-year-old Italian has played at left-back on 49 occasions throughout his career, so with him in north London, as well as Jurrien Timber, Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior, Tavares may even struggle to get picked for the Carabao Cup games.
Nuno Tavares of Arsenal during the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Brentford at London Colney on July 27, 2022 in St Albans, England.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Furthermore, there is an incentive for Arsenal to cash in this summer, as the Portuguese defender only has 12 months remaining on his contract, meaning this window is Edu’s last chance to recoup some of the £8m spent to sign him from Benfica in July 2021.
Be sure to keep an eye on Tavares this summer, as we would be very surprised if Arteta keeps him.
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