Arsenal Loanee Nuno Tavares Advised to Embrace the ‘Dirty Side’ of the Game
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Former Lazio player Roberto Rambaudi has advised Arsenal’s loan star Nuno Tavares to add the gritty aspects of the game to his skillset if he wants to become the best. Rambaudi also stressed that the player is unaware of his own potential.
The Gunners signed Tavares from Portuguese giants Benfica in 2021 for a fee of £8 million, with high expectations for his development. However, the young full-back struggled to break into Mikel Arteta’s plans at the Emirates Stadium.
In an attempt to speed up his progress, Tavares was loaned out to Marseille and Nottingham Forest, but the Gunners were still not fully convinced by his performances. Last summer, Serie A club Lazio secured a loan deal for the player, with an option to buy him permanently at the end of the season.
Tavares has since become a regular in the Lazio lineup, and former Lazio star Rambaudi has offered some valuable insights. The ex-Italy attacker believes that Tavares needs to improve his mental approach to the game and become “dirtier” if he wants to reach the highest level.
“Tavares? You also have to know how to be a little dirty and when he learns this he will become number one,” Rambaudi said on Italian radio station Radiosei (via Lazio News 24). “In football, you don’t always have to be beautiful.”
Rambaudi further added that Tavares “does not even know the potential he has” and needs to undergo a “step of growth on a mental level.”
Tavares made an impressive start to his time in Italy, contributing eight assists in his first eight Serie A games. However, he has not registered any goal contributions in the league since then. Despite a few injury setbacks, he remains an integral part of Marco Baroni’s plans at Lazio.
The Future Ahead for Nuno Tavares
Arsenal fans will be closely monitoring Tavares’ progress in Italy, as the Gunners will have the option to bring him back or potentially sell him permanently at the end of the season. The young defender’s ability to adapt and embrace the “dirty side” of the game could be a key factor in determining his long-term future with the North London club.
As Rambaudi rightly pointed out, Tavares may not yet fully understand the extent of his own potential. By developing a more robust and streetwise approach to his game, the 23-year-old could take the next step in his career and fulfill the high expectations that Arsenal had when they initially signed him.
The road ahead for Nuno Tavares may not be entirely straightforward, but with the right guidance and a willingness to embrace the gritty aspects of the game, he could become a valuable asset for Arsenal or any other top club he represents in the future.
Call to Action: Arsenal fans should keep a close eye on Nuno Tavares’ progress at Lazio and hope that he can heed the advice of Rambaudi to unlock his full potential. The young defender’s journey could be one to watch in the coming seasons.
