Nuno Tavares has revealed that the coach of Arsenal football club, Mikel Arteta called him every day until he made up his mind to join the Premier League club this summer.
Earlier today, July 10, 2021, Arsenal announced that they have signed Nuno Tavares from Benfica. The 21-year-old Portuguese left-back joined Arsenal from the Portuguese club for a transfer fee worth €8 million.
The Portuguese under-21 footballer is expected to join up with his new teammates in north London after he must have carried out 10-day self-isolation which is a coronavirus protocol in the United Kingdom.
While addressing Arsenal’s official website, Nuno Tavares said he could not sleep when he was told that Arsenal were interested in him. He also noted that aside from the constant calls from Mikel Arteta, the involvement of Arsenal’s Director of Football Edu played a major role in ensuring that the deal was a success.
Nuno attracted the attention of Arsenal after he made 25 appearances for Benfica in all competitions. The football star who graduated from Benfica football academy has been playing for the club’s senior team since July 1, 2019.
Nuno Tavares 🤝 Emile Smith Rowe
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 10, 2021
“When I finished the season my agent told me that Arsenal were interested in me,” Tavares said.
“In the first instance I was very happy and after this, I dreamed about it, and [spoke about it] with my mum. I was so excited to be here, and now I’m here I’m so happy.
“I’m so excited because it is a big club and for me as a young guy, it is a pleasure to be here.
“Mikel [Arteta] and Edu helped me so much. They speak with me every time and call me and I feel people want me here. I like that because I need this power and I’m so grateful for this.”
The manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta said: “We welcome Nuno to the club.
“He is a young player with great promise who has developed very well with Benfica in recent seasons and has also shown his quality by being part of Portugal U21s.
“Nuno’s arrival will give the squad extra strength and options in defense, particularly with this energy on the left side of the pitch.
“We look forward to Nuno’s arrival soon, his integration into the Arsenal family, and playing in front of our fantastic supporters.”
While the club’s technical director Edu said: “Nuno is a talented young player who was wanted by several clubs across Europe.
“He will provide strong back-up in the left-back position. We look forward to him growing and developing with us and becoming an important member of the first-team squad.”
Welcome to The Arsenal, Nuno Tavares 👋 pic.twitter.com/379qyLXrxG
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 10, 2021
