“He convinced me to make this choice” - Arsenal star says Matteo Guendouzi played ‘fundamental role’ in his transfer decision
Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares said that Matteo Guendouzi convinced him to join Lazio on loan this summer. The duo are set to line up together once again for the Italian side.
Tavares joined the Gunners from Benfica in 2021. He made 28 appearances for them but failed to impress and has been on loans ever since. He joined Marseille for the 2022-23 season and Nottingham Forest last season. Now, the Portuguese fullback has joined Lazio on a season-long loan.
After completing the move, he said (via HITC):
“I had several experiences on my trip, the best was in Marseille. In Nottingham, we fought against relegation and that made me stronger mentally.
“He (Guendouzi) had a fundamental role; we spoke three times, and he convinced me to make this choice. I want to play as much as possible because my goal is to win matches and trophies.
“I feel much better, I’m doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible. I think there is little time left until I return but I can’t say a date.”
Guendouzi joined Lazio initially on loan from Marseille last summer before the move was made permanent earlier this summer. He made 82 appearances for Arsenal after joining them from FC Lorient in 2018 before moving to Marseille in 2021.
Guendouzi and Tavares shared the pitch 37 times during their time together at Marseille.
Pundit predicts Arsenal star will win Premier League Player of the Year award this season
Pundit Ally McCoist has backed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to win the Premier League Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season. He heaped praise on the midfielder, saying on talkSPORT (via The Sun):
“I’m going to go for Odegaard.
“He’s a wonderful, wonderful football player, he’s so easy to watch, crisp. He is such an intelligent footballer so I’m going to go with him.”
Odegaard scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 48 games across competitions last season. Eight goals and 10 assists of those came in 35 Premier League games.
However, he failed to help Arsenal win the Premier League title for the second year in a row. They finished second, two points behind Manchester City, who won the English top-flight title a record fourth consecutive year.
City midfielder Phil Foden won the Premier League Player of the Year award last season, registering 19 goals and eight assists in 35 league games.