Forgotten Arsenal star Nuno Tavares breaks down in tears and consoled by team-mate in Europa League clash
FORGOTTEN Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares broke down in tears after he suffered even more injury woes on Thursday night.
Tavares, who is on loan with Italian side Lazio, has battled with injuries all season and was forced off once again as Lazio lost to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League quarter-finals.
The left-back has already suffered six different injuries this season, missing almost 100 days of action as a result.
And after picking up another knock the 25-year-old broke down in tears on the pitch.
Covering his face with his shirt, Tavares was consoled by fellow Arsenal-turned-Lazio star Matteo Guendouzi.
Lazio boss Marco Baroni said: “He was crying, I tried to console him, the stadium was chanting his name.
“He is an important player for us, who clearly is going through a difficult situation with injuries.
“He had trained well and felt ready, we brought on his energy down the left and he put lots of crosses in. But now we need to evaluate this fresh injury”.
The injuries have been a frustrating stain on an otherwise superb season for Tavares, who joined the Serie A side on loan in the summer with an obligation to make the deal permanent if certain conditions are met.
He was labelled “The Assist King” when he first arrived, having registered eight assists in his first eight league games for the club.
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While Lazio president Claudio Lotito claimed that he “wouldn’t sell him – even for €70m (£58.9m)” after his blistering start to the season.
Lazio’s obligation to sign Tavares permanently from The Gunners is thought to be worth just £7.6m.
Arsenal, who signed Tavares in 2021 for £8m, will also receive a sell-on clause exceeding 25 per cent if Lazio are to sell the defender in the future.
Lazio’s night was full of frustration as they saw their European journey come to an end in penalty heartbreak.
The Italians won 3-1 on the night, overturning the two-goal deficit they had from their defeat in the first leg.
But after forcing extra-time and penalties, only two Lazio players managed to find the back of the net from the spot and they were ultimately knocked out by their Norwegian opponents.