Arsenal
Where are they now: Arsenal XI when Lazio’s Nuno Tavares made his debut
Here is everything you should know about the Arsenal XI that started when Nuno Tavares made his debut for the North London club.
Nuno Tavares has been on fire at Lazio. Not even halfway into the Serie A season, Tavares is on his way to breaking a record. A massive one. The Portuguese star has become an assist-producing machine, and already has 8 assists (and he’s played just 9 games).
The Serie A record stands at 16, with Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez for Atalanta from ‘that’ 2019/20 season. With nearly 25 more games left, Tavares, should he continue his current form, would break the record with ease.
It is worth noting that, Tavares is still on loan from Arsenal, a club he joined back in 2021. While he did get regular starts in his first season at the club, he has been sent on loan to multiple clubs ever since (Marseille, Nottingham Forest and Lazio). He even scored 6 goals for Marseille in the 2022/23 season.
In this article we take a look at how the Arsenal XI looked when Nuno Tavares made his debut for the club. His first appearance was as a substitute for Calum Chambers, in the Gunners’ first EPL game of the 2021/22 season against then-newly promoted Brentford. Arsenal ended up losing the game, 2-0, to Thomas Frank’s side.
GK – Bernd Leno
It was one of the last few games in the league Bernd Leno started for Arsenal. The arrival of Aaron Ramsdale in 2021, pushed him to a backup role. After four years at Arsenal, Leno left to Fulham in 2022, and has almost started every game for the London club ever since.
LB – Kieran Tierney
Barring his fitness concerns, it was a time Kieran Tierney was a regular starter at Arsenal. He was in his second season. However, he fell out of favor with Mikel Arteta, and even went on loan for a year to Real Sociedad. However, he is currently back at the club, but has been sidelined once again due to injuries.
CB – Pablo Mari
Pablo Mari made only a handful of starts at Arsenal, and this game against Brentford was one of the few. Despite leaving the club only in 2023, Mari was sent on two loan spells (Udinese and Monza). And after returning to Arsenal from Monza, he joined the Italian club in 2023, and he currently plays there.
CB – Ben White
Like Nuno Tavares (who came on as a sub), this was Ben White’s debut for Arsenal as well. Since then, White has found a regular spot in Arteta’s team as a right-back.
RB – Calum Chambers
Calum Chambers was a part of Arsenal for eight years. He left the club at the end of the 2021/22 season, and joined Aston Villa. After two years there, Chambers joined Cardiff City in 2024, where he currently plays.
CM – Granit Xhaka
The veteran Swiss midfielder was in his sixth season at Arsenal. He went on to play for two more season, before leaving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, and becoming one of their most important stars. He even won the league in the first year.
CM – Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga is still a part of Arsenal, going on loan spells. This Brentford game was his debut as well. He was first sent on loan to Crystal Palace in early 2023, then Luton Town, for the 2023/24 season, and is now at Sevilla.
LW – Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian is still a regular starter at Arsenal in LW.
CAM – Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe joined Arsenal in 2018. Dubbed ‘The Croydon De Bruyne’, the Englishman could have lived up to the billing (at least a 50% of it), if not for injuries and limited game time. Finally in 2024, Smith Rowe joined Fulham, and has made instant impact there.
RW – Nicolas Pepe
One of Arsenal’s biggest flops in recent years. Although Nicolas Pepe’s numbers at Arsenal were okayish, his price tag would certainly make fans and pundits categorize him as a flop. Having gotten regular starts until the end of the 2020/21 season, Pepe was slowly reduced to the bench and also fell out of favor with Mikel Arteta. He joined Nice, on loan for the 2022/23 season, before leaving Arsenal and joining Trabzonspor for the 2023/24 Turkish league season. He now plays for LaLiga club Villarreal.
ST – Folarin Balogun
The Balogun experiment at Arsenal was a failure. Although he wasn’t given many league starts, he couldn’t make an instant impact whenever called upon by Arteta (although some might argue that the number of matches he was tried was very less). After loan spells at Middlesbrough and Reims, Balogun joined AS Monaco in 2023, and currently plays there.
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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