The signing of Nuno Tavares at Arsenal appeared on the surface a risky one. Arsenal needed to find a player who could provide cover for Kieran Tierney when an inevitable injury occurred without breaking the bank.
Benfica were willing to negotiate considering Tavares was not part of their first-team plans at the time thanks to the presence of Grimaldo. Arsenal were able to secure the Portuguese youth international for a very good figure.
Since then, Tavares has surprised many with his performances deputising for Tierney with the Scotland international missing. Even when the 24-year-old returned he was kept on the bench for the win against Watford.
Now Tavares has given Mikel Arteta a selection headache with Liverpool to play on Saturday. Whoever he picks will be up against Mohamed Salah and a big compliment to the player who gets the nod.
The right-back position was strengthened too with Takehiro Tomiyasu joining the team from Bologna. The Japanese international has been even more impressive than his opposite full-back with consistent displays providing much-needed balance to the defence.
Were Tomiyasu to suffer an injury the Gunners do have cover, and plenty of it, in the form of Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Hector Bellerin left the club on loan but could yet return in the summer.
However, the concern is the drop in quality from Tomiyasu. None of the aforementioned options have impressed to the standard of Tomiyasu nor the levels shown by Tavares on the other flank in his brief spell at the club.
The winter window is a period for clubs to act smartly and spend carefully. Bargains are not easy to come by, but Arsenal might need to work the Portuguese market again to repeat their Nuno Tavares success with the right-hand side.
The Benfica senior side has no 21-and-under options however in their squad. Former Newcastle loanee Valentino Lazaro provides the cover alongside Diogo Goncalves, Gilberto and Andre Almeida.
However, rivals for the Portuguese title Porto currently have 21-year-old Joao Mario operating at right-back.
Having come through the Porto youth ranks, Joao Mario is now a regular starter for Porto and has two assists in his 11 league appearances. In addition, he has helped keep 4 clean sheets for Porto.
According to Transfermarkt, his value sits at £6.3m and for a player like Mario who also possesses experience in the Champions League, this could provide the perfect opportunity to secure another bargain. Mario plays alongside the Arsenal man for the Portuguese under 21s which could aid with a smoother transition to north London.
Although the fact he is currently playing for Porto and not a backup like Tavares previously was at Benfica could elevate the estimated figure.
Mario would be a different style of full-back to Tomiyasu which would need to be considered. The Portuguese defender does like to attack the flank more than the 22-year-old Arsenal man and could mean the Gunners lose some balance unless the left full-back compensates.
At 5’8, Mario does not possess the height of Tomiyasu but that hasn’t stopped him from winning nearly 60% of his aerial duels this league season according to Wyscout. Funnily enough, this is a better return than the 50%-win rate of Tomiyasu’s aerial duels.
At present no transfer links have been reported meaning the Gunners could sneak in before Mario’s stock rises any further. Whether or not Edu is looking at the full-back is another thing however and the Brazilian should certainly face little questioning with the business conducted of late.
However, should Edu be reading this, you’re welcome.
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