The defender has only played 450 minutes of Premier League football this season due to injury issues and subsequent selection issues.
Nuno Tavares claims that his lack of pre-season activity contributed to the first of multiple setbacks this season at Nottingham Forest, which may have had a knock-on impact.
The defender was left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour squad following his loan spell at Marseille last season, but he signed with Forest in September after being observed in Gunners training just four weeks before.
The Portuguese left-back has only appeared in seven league games at the City Ground this season and picked up another injury last month that will keep him out until at least until the international break.
Tavares made his Forest debut in September’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City, although he was unable to complete the first half after suffering a muscular injury five minutes before halftime. He returned to the squad a month later, but did not play again until the first week of January, having deleted his Instagram account in November.
His latest loss adds to his anger, as he has participated in eight games in all competitions under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo since the beginning of the year. In an interview with the local newspaper Jornal de Noticias, Tavares blamed his early injury problems on a lack of summer preparation.
He stated, “I didn’t perform my pre-season training, which is why I incurred the first injury. I was well till I was injured again. Obviously, I’m disappointed to not be doing what I enjoy, but I’ll be back soon.”
When asked about his plans after his loan period ends, Tavares responded, “The focus at the moment is here, in Nottingham.”
Tavares is slated to be moved by Arsenal this summer, having made only 17 starts for the club since his 2021 arrival. Given Tavares’ lack of playing time and the club’s Financial Fair Play issues, it is unlikely that Forest will try to sign him permanently.
