Arsenal sign Nuno Tavares from Benfica – Defender has massive potential

Sky Sports has confirmed the signing of Portuguese International Nuno Tavares as their first signing of the summer from Benfica on a long-term deal. He will join the Gunners squad in London once he has completed his period of Covid-19 isolation.

Nuno’s rapid progression

The 21-year-old defender, who rapidly progressed through the Benfica youth system, made his first appearance for the Benfica B team in October 2018. He improved rapidly and was promoted to the first-team squad. 

In August 2019, he made his first-team debut in a 2-0 victory against Sporting Lisbon. The Portugal Under-21 international has subsequently made 25 appearances for Benfica over the course of the last two seasons, playing primarily on the left side of their defence.

Arteta strength in depth

He was a member of Benfica’s matchday squad for both matches against Arsenal in the Europa League last-32 games last season, and he even came as a replacement in the second leg match. Mikel Arteta says he is extremely happy to have such a talented player joining Arsenal. While he was busy with strengthening his attacking midfield, this news provided him with a bit more space to take a deep breath.

He added that the young Portuguese’s arrival at the club will allow the team to have more strength and depth on their left-hand side and will allow the team to rotate more within the squad.  

Player overjoyed to join

The player said that he was overjoyed to be joining such a fantastic club as Arsenal. Nuno concluded that now that he is here, he is looking forward to developing into a player that the supporters can be proud of, and he aims to be a first-team player sooner rather than later. 

Edu, Arsenal’s technicalctor, said that he is ecstatic to have acquired such a good young player with massive potential to improve rapidly. He added that Nuno was much sought after by clubs across Europe and was happy that he chose to come to Arsenal.

Arteta under pressure

Mikel Arteta is under pressure. He knows that the board of Arsenal and the supporters will not tolerate another season of finishing below the European qualification placings. 

This season will have to be different, and he has to ensure that the players’ he brings in the transfer windows will immediately improve his squad. Therefore, he will have to bring in more players of the quality and potential of Nuno and the superstars that will immediately give him and his squad a lift going into the new season.