
Arsenal saw eleven players leave in the summer as the squad underwent some structural changes.
The gunners had to prepare for another Premier League title challenge after they fell short in the final weeks, losing the league to Manchester City.
Some players had to make way for new signings, while others had their huge contracts shifted off the books. Former academy players Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe left the club permanently after failing to play regularly the previous season.
Smith Rowe, who departed Arsenal for the first time since he was 10 years old, said he left the club to feel happy playing football.
Lazio value Arsenal player at £59m
Nuno Tavares joined Lazio on loan this season from arsenal after he was not in the first team plans. The loan deal had an obligation to buy for around £7.5m.
Last year, the fullback had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest where he only played eight Premier League games. The loan move to Forest ruined the momentum Tavares had built up on loan at Marseille in the 2022/23 season. The left back scored six goals as a high flying wingback in Igor Tudor’s system that year. Marseille finished in third place in Ligue 1 and secured a Champions League playoff spot as a result.
This season at Lazio, Tavares has begun brilliantly; seven assists in seven games in Serie A so far. The Portuguese fullback ranks first for assists in the league, and has three more than the next player.
Lazio President Lolito has said he will not be willing to sell Tavares this summer, as he values the player at a premium price:
“Already a capital gain? I won’t sell him even for €70m. We have beaten off a lot of competition from the big clubs for the fullback.”
Move to Italy is ‘perfect’ for Tavares
Earlier this season, the Arsenal loanee says life in Italy has changed him. He said it was the perfect environment for him to succeed:
“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.”
“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.”
