Arsenal defender kicked out of training for ‘not running'

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 2 Apr 2023 15:41 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares was kicked out of a training session by Marseille manager Igor Tudor.

Tavares - who joined Arsenal in an £8 million deal from Benfica in 2021 - struggled to make the grade at the Premier League side and so was shipped out on loan in the summer to join Marseille.

French outlet L’Équipe have revealed that the full-back was booted out of a session by the Croatian boss earlier in the campaign.

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Tudor spoke about the commitment and desire he requires from his players - and that if they fall short, he will kick them out.

The publication revealed that it was the youngster who was singled out - while France international wing-back Jonathan Clauss was also reportedly given the boot by the coach.

Tudor said: “In my football, there is a feature, you have to run. And if you don’t… If I see one player that doesn’t run in training, I’ll say it once, twice and then on the third time of asking, I’ll intervene.”

“During the hour or so of training, I am demanding, the players have understood it”, Tudor added. “But if they want rest days, I can give them some too. And we can joke or laugh, but work is work.“

'Tavares could play for Real Madrid'

However, Tudor had previously spoken about how good the Portuguese defender is.

He actually claimed that Tavares is good enough to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City.

Tudor said: ‘He could play at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City. There are other things he needs to improve. He must progress, we often talk. There’s always room for improvement, we’re here to help.

"We make him see concrete things to improve. He has always been important to us even if he has not had continuity. He is still participating, he is an important player for us. As I always say, we hope he will help us in the last ten games. He is a player who, when he is in good shape, can change things. He can make a difference.”