Arsenal tipped to sign Nuno Tavares replacement after update – Campbell
Kevin Campbell has claimed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be thinking about “upgrading” Nuno Tavares this summer after his “shaky” first season at the club.
The former Gunners striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 22-year-old was “rusty and unsure” during a handful of appearances in the 2021-22 campaign.
According to The Athletic (3 June), Arsenal have “discussed the possibility” of loaning Tavares out this summer in order to “aid his development”.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey – who currently plies his trade for Italian side Bologna.
Tavares made 28 appearances in the 2021-22 campaign – including 13 starts in the Premier League.
He joined Arsenal for a reported initial fee of £6.8million last summer (2021).
Campbell suggested the Portuguese defender could have a future at the club but needs to play “consistency” in the 2022-23 campaign.
“He performed well when he first came in,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“If you remember rightly, there were a lot of people saying Arsenal should sell Kieran Tierney and keep Tavares at the left-back position.
“But we know what the Premier League is like. It’s uncompromising. Tierney came back in, and then when he got his next chance he looked really rusty and unsure.
“Arteta has got to be thinking about upgrading every single position now – and he’s got to be honest. Tavares looked really shaky in the back end of the 2021-22 season, to say the least.
“Maybe it’s the right thing to do, to loan him out. Could he come back? Of course.
“He’s got all the attributes but what he needs to do is settle down and play consistently.
“Look, if he does end up leaving then we’re going to learn a whole lot more about him.”
In other news, pundit claims Arsenal could now move for “target man” after Gabriel Jesus bid news.