Nuno Tavares deserves another chance at Arsenal

Arsenal are flying high in the Premier League and will hope to clinch their first title since the Invincibles of 2004.

Whatever happens in the summer, Mikel Arteta then has some thinking to do with regards to his squad.

At present, Arsenal have several players whose futures at the club remain uncertain.

One of these is Nuno Tavares, who is currently playing on loan at Marseille.

The 23-year-old is superb on his day, capable of impressive, even game-changing displays.

However, he has struggled for consistency, the outcome of which is good displays interspersed with poor ones.

Tavares began well at Marseille, scoring three goals in his first three league outings for his loan side.

The Arsenal loanee also scored in consecutive games just after Christmas.

However, Tavares has lost form of late, and has really struggled in his last few matches.

‘He could play at Real Madrid, Barca or Manchester City’

Despite this, Igor Tudor is confident the £29,000-a-week (Salarysport) Gunners man can really kick on.

Indeed, he reckons Tavares has what it takes to play for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City.

“He’s a boy who is still young,” Tudor said, as per Foot Mercato.

“He played two days ago with Portugal U21, he has high-level physical qualities, he has an extraordinary explosiveness.

“He could play at Real Madrid, Barca or Manchester City.

“There are other things he needs to improve. He must progress, we often talk.

“There is always room for improvement, we are here to help him.

“He is shown concrete things to improve. He scored 5, 6 goals, I don’t know anymore.

“It has always been important to us even if it has not had continuity.

“He always participates, he is an important player for us.

“As I always say, we hope he will help us in the last ten matches.

“He is a player who, when he is in shape, can change things. He can make a difference.”

Hopefully Tavares can return to form and iron out the flaws in his game between now and the end of the season.

At the very least, Arteta should give him a chance in pre-season.

If things don’t work out, then at that point he should look to move him on for good.

But it would be a shame if Arsenal offload a player with so much potential who then goes on to dazzle elsewhere.