Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of Nuno Tavares but many fans are worried about the defender’s shirt number.
The 21-year-old made his first-team debut for SL Benfica back in 2019. The defender made 14 appearances in Primeira Liga last season and was mainly used as a backup to first-choice left-back Alejandro Grimaldo.
The north London club bought the young left-back from Benfica for a transfer fee of around £6.8million(as per Express). However, many fans have spotted some worrying signs regarding the defender’s shirt number.
The youngster will be wearing the number 20 shirt which was used by egregious and error-prone Shkodran Mustafi. He was a nightmare for the Emirates faithful and made quite a few mistakes during his time at the club.
That number has not been a very successful one for the Emirates club over the past couple of decades. Apart from Mustafi, Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou and Matthew Upson had worn this shirt and none of them were successful at the Emirates Stadium.
Here are some of the best reactions:
We should’ve returned No. 20 after thr heroics of Mustafi 😂
Welcome aboard Nuno! @Arsenal
— Öbevankenobi (@obevankenobi) July 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/mariEscobarStan/status/1413793819120873477
Cursed number
— Condor (@elcondorpasaba) July 10, 2021
Not the greatest of historical numbers 😆
— Jay Burls 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🏆14 (@Jay_Burls) July 10, 2021
Mustafi’s old number. I hope the shirt won’t be too heavy for you to wear, Nuno T😭
— Faisal (@FaisalbinNajma) July 10, 2021
Suprised you didn’t retire the number 20 shirt after Mustafi left 🤣
— Tony Brooks (@BigTA78) July 10, 2021
Don’t be like previous 20😂
— Football Analyst (U-26s) (@stafford_gooner) July 10, 2021
Took Mustafi’s number? Sell immediately
— . (@AFCWaIter) July 10, 2021
Arsenal Fever View:
Regardless of the worrying shirt number, Nuno Tavares is a shrewd purchase for Arsenal. The north London club needed a deputy for Kieran Tierney who has struggled with injuries at times and the Portuguese could provide that.
The Gunners missed their Scottish left-back most during last season’s Europa League semi-final tie against Villarreal. Without a proper backup, Mikel Arteta had to deploy Granit Xhaka in an unfamiliar position and the Swiss midfielder struggled to cope with the Yellow Submarine’s quick wingers.
With a proper backup in the squad, Tierney’s workload can be measured which will help him remain fresh for the big games. The Portuguese left-back has similar attributes to that of his fellow Scottish left-back. Tavares is quick, strong and also has a very good long shot. He is a left-back by trade but can also provide cover in the right-back position.
The defender can be effective on both ends of the pitch and given the youngster’s stature, he can also be used in a back three. Nuno Tavares will be a very good addition for Mikel Arteta’s side, however, he needs proper game time to develop. It will be very difficult for a young man to fill Tierney’s void in his first season.
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