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Football London
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Stephen Killen & Laurie Martin

Nuno Tavares' crucial Arsenal problem revealed amid Matteo Guendouzi 'flourishing' at Marseille

Matteo Guendouzi and Nuno Tavares both returned to North London as the duo started for Marseille in their Champions League tie at Tottenham Hotspur.

Former Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi permanently joined the Ligue 1 side in the summer after a loan spell last season, while full-back Tavares is currently on a season-long loan in France from the Gunners. Both players were booed with every touch by the Spurs fans as the home side ran out 2-0 winners in their first Champions League clash since 2020.

Tavares has claimed that he wanted Marseille to have the option to sign him permanently at the end of the loan deal, but Arsenal refused to put that particular clause in the contract. The 22-year-old has been playing at wing-back since joining Marseille, which Owen Hargreaves believes is his strongest position.

READ MORE: Five things spotted at Arsenal training: Marquinhos paired with Bukayo Saka ahead of Zurich game

"It didn't really work out for him at Arsenal," Hargreaves told BT Sport.

"He's a fantastic attacking player, but the problem at Arsenal was he played in a back four - a completely different position. At Marseille, he's played wing-back and been fantastic. He's been really good. Wing-backs all want to attack, and they're all much better attacking-wise. At Arsenal, playing as a pure defender, he struggled."

HAVE YOUR SAY! Can Tavares come back and still have a successful Arsenal career? Leave a comment with your thoughts

Last season, Guendouzi played all 38 league games as he helped Marseille to a second-place finish in Ligue 1. He also featured in their Europa League campaign, where the French club made the semi-finals. Once again, this season, Guendouzi appears to be ever-present in Igor Tudor's midfield.

"The manager is a little bit more workmanlike, which is why Guendouzi gets the nod over [Dimitri] Payet," said former Spurs striker Peter Crouch.

"He's playing in a higher position. He had decent spells at Arsenal but seems to be flourishing at Marseille and looks at home."

Leave a comment below to let us know your thoughts on Tavates and Guendouzi

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