Former Portuguese youth international Nuno Tavares may be out the door in north London and Premier League giants Arsenal after just one season at the Emirates, as the Gunners could be after reinforcements at left-back.
Reports from The Athletic’s David Ornstein – cited by Fabrizio Romano – continue to link Arsenal with serious interest in versatile Manchester City midfielder-come-defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, but are now suggesting that the Gunners are also tracking RSC Anderlecht’s starting left-back Sergio Gómez.
Arsenal are exploring options for new left back with Anderlecht’s Sérgio Gomez and Oleksandr Zinchenko [reported by @David_Ornstein] in the club’s list. ?⚪️? #AFC
Nuno Tavares could leave in case new LB joins – Olympique Marseille among clubs that him.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2022
Gómez, 21, is a former La Masia product who came to life in 2021-22 for the Belgian giants when he bagged 5-goals and added 12-assists for Paars-wit in the Jupiler Pro League after arriving from SD Huesca where he spent two years in the wake of failing to make the grade with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
Though he has come to life as a left-back, Gómez has also seen time as both a left-winger as well as a left-sided 8 in central midfield during his young career, and that same tactical versatility could put him at the head of the queue as Arsenal continue to add quality in depth this summer under boss Mikel Arteta.
2GAR1YT EUPEN, BELGIUM – JULY 31: Sergio Gomez of Anderlecht during the Jupiler Pro League match between KAS Eupen and Anderlecht at Kehrweg-Stadion on July 31, 2021 in Eupen, Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Orange Pictures)
Despite Zinchenko being of a similar versatile profile, both players are capable of being used in a similar manner to Liverpool’s James Milner, whose own tactical adaptability has extended his shelf-life at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp.
A move for one, or both, could signal the end of Tavares’ career at Arsenal after he arrived from SL Benfica last summer.
While Tavares showed periods of quality where his potential was evident and glaring, his inconsistency and propensity to lack balance in his effectiveness as both an attacking full-back and one capable of shielding the back four meant that he often became far too reliant on his athleticism to try to correct his mistakes; a notion that burned Arsenal on more than one occasion.
Should a move be completed for Gómez, it would surely suggest that Tavares – who is rumored to be tracked by Ligue 1 outfit Olympique de Marseille – would no longer be viewed as the main depth option behind Scottish international Kieran Tierney, and could jump at the chance to try to put his career back on track in the south of France.
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This article was edited by
Conor Laird.
