Nuno Tavares is in flying form at present, having left Arsenal on loan this summer(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

I couldn't be happier after Arsenal exit – I feel at home and am being called 'assist king'

Nuno Tavares joined Arsenal from Benfica in 2021, but he has barely featured in Mikel Arteta's set-up – instead spending loan spells at the likes of Marseille, Nottingham Forest and Lazio

09 Oct 2024, 04:00 by Aaron Morris · football.london

Nuno Tavares has revealed that he couldn't be happier, despite spending most of his Arsenal career away from his parent club.

The 24-year-old spent his youth at Benfica before signing his first professional contract with the side's B-team in 2018. He was promoted to the first squad in 2019, impressing in 41 games for the Primeira Liga outfit before being snapped up by Arsenal for a cool £7million in 2021.

While many Gunners fans expected big things from the left-back, his time in north London has been far from rosy. He has appeared just 28 times under Mikel Arteta over the last three years, instead, spending most of his Arsenal career out on loan to pick up experience.

He spent the 2022/23 season with Marseille, where he played 39 games under Igor Tudor, before being sent to Nottingham Forest in the 2023/24 campaign. He is currently enjoying a spell with Lazio under Marco Baroni, where he has racked up five assists in five appearances for the side thus far.

While many footballers could quickly become agitated at the prospect of being carted off to other teams on loan, Tavares has revealed that he's lapping up the opportunities to get some minutes under his belt in different corners of Europe – so much so, that he may not wish to return any time soon.

As reported by O Jogo, Tavares said: "I feel more and more at home at Lazio. Fortunately, things are going well for me personally and collectively. I think we have risen to the challenge and can only think about improving.

"We still have a long way to go but, for now, the balance is very positive." He added: "I feel good watching my team-mates. It’s good to have this understanding with them in this short space of time. We can only improve. I’m very happy to be here."

Thanks to his five assists in five games for Lazio, Lisbon-born Tavares has also been dubbed the "king of assists" by Portuguese media. Arsenal's decision to allow Tavares to leave on loan again this term may even come back to bite them, as the top talent has a mandatory £4.1million (€5m) purchase clause, should certain conditions be met.

Tavares hasn't spent much time on the pitch for Arsenal, having had spells out on loan, including with Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)

Considering the talent was originally bought by the Gunners for around £3million more than this fee, it could be a real kick in the teeth to the club – especially seeing as though Tavares has came on leaps and bounds since making his way to the Emirates Stadium in 2021.

Lazio currently sit fourth in the Serie A after seven games played, with four wins, one loss and two draws to their name. They're just three points behind league leaders Napoli, and the Italian giants could well challenge for their first league title in 24 years.

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