Arsenal are top of the Premier League table and look like clear favourites to finish as winners this season. Multiple Arsenal players seem to be having one of their best seasons so far at club level. One such player is Nuno Tavares, but the 22-year-old Portuguese is currently on loan at Marseille and has been one of the best players for the French club this season. After signing for Arsenal from Benfica, Tavares had a steady start to life in the Premier League, but the defender could not become a mainstay in the starting XI under Arteta in 2021/22. The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer only meant that it was going to be even more difficult for Tavares and hence, the loan move to Marseille occurred. And things seem to have worked out very well for the defender so far.

The below visualization shows where Tavares ranks for some of the key metrics when compared with the other left wing-backs from Ligue 1.

Nuno Tavares has already played more minutes in the league than last season. Starting at left wing-back regularly, Tavares’ offensive numbers look above average and seemingly he is one of the most attacking defenders in the league. His five goals so far mean that only Alexis Sánchez has scored more than him for Marseille. Tavares has electric pace and isn’t afraid to get forward and take on opponent players with the ball at his feet, which is why he ranks so high for dribbles per 90. Tavares’ defensive game drew a lot of criticism during his time at Arsenal. At Marseille though, even though he seems to have improved in certain aspects of his defensive game, it’s his offensive game that has been best put to use at the French club. Playing in a three-at-the-back system as well has helped him in that aspect.

Tavares would have expected to have played a lot more frequently than he had at Arsenal. His loan move away to Ligue 1 seems like the right choice for all parties involved. It will, however, be interesting to see if Nuno Tavares comes back and continues his time at Arsenal or if he decides to move to another club or even return to Marseille again. Until the time comes for that decision to be made, Tavares will look to help Marseille secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.