Arsenal’s newest signing Nuno Tavares has revealed three Gunners players he admires in two present stars and one from the past.
Nuno Tavares has revealed his admiration for fellow youngsters Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, as well as Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
The 21-year-old has completed a reported €8 million move to Arsenal from Benfica. He has signed a ‘long-term’ deal and is expected to become an understudy to first-choice left-back Kieran Tierney.
Tavares, much like Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva, is a product of Benfica’s youth system. The defender can play on the right and left flanks, favors making runs forward, and can use both feet.
He made 41 appearances for Benfica and also faced Arsenal in the last-32 stage of last season’s Europa League, where he went up against future teammates Smith Rowe and Saka.
“In the present I like [Emile Smith Rowe], because he is my generation,” Tavares told the club’s website.
“He’s played against us, on the same side – he played on the right, I played on the left – for the selection [youth] team.
“He’s a good player, and I see Saka too. Young players, good players.
“From the past I like Henry. A very good player, and it’s good for me to remember that story.”
With Sead Kolasinac set to leave Arsenal this summer, Tavares may become a direct replacement for the Bosnian.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are closing in on a deal for Albert Lokonga. The Gunners have reportedly struck a €17.5m deal with Anderlecht, leaving the midfielder free to undergo a medical. Talks also remain ongoing over an alleged £50m (€58.6m) transfer for Brighton defender Ben White.
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