Pundit issues significant Nuno Tavares claim after new Arsenal reveal
Nuno Tavares will still have a long-term future at Arsenal even if he leaves on loan this summer, according to Noel Whelan.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League forward insisted Tavares needs to find consistent form after a “mixed” debut campaign for Arsenal in 2021-22.
The Athletic reported on Thursday (23 June) that Marseille want to take the 22-year-old on loan for the 2022-23 season.
They finished second in Ligue 1 in 2021-22 and are looking to build a squad capable of coping with Champions League football.
“A loan move shows that there’s not too much faith in a player,” Whelan told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“If you are allowing him to move out on loan, that says to me you’re not overly confident that he can give you what you want in the Premier League in the first team, that’s just a given.
“Maybe a loan move is best for the player to build his confidence back up as it was a mixed bag of performances. Some were very good, some were very questionable.
“Arteta saw that. He frustrated him at times because he could see what he could do one week then we saw the worst of him the next week, there was no consistency in performances.
“That’s the question mark that hangs over him. If he can put a string of really good performances together at Marseille and shows his ability consistently then he might have an opportunity next season at Arsenal.
“For now, I think it just proves that he’s not done enough to convince Arteta he is number one choice for a full-back role, it’s not going to happen I think.
“They are doing the right thing, they are not wasting any time, they’re being open and honest and allowing him to get some regular football somewhere else.”
In other news, club are set to sign Arsenal 22-year-old after major bid accepted.