Mikel Arteta is aware that he needs more depth in the squad and that with the existing players on the sheet, he could not do much better than last season’s eighth place in the Premier League. Arsenal are in shortage in several positions, and that is especially noticeable on the left back – ever-open Arsenal wound.Kieran Tierney was one of the few rays of light last year in the darkness of Arsenal – and that earned him a new contract according to which he should stay at the Emirates until 2026. When the Scotsman was not injured, his good performances for Arsenal were never in doubt, but there was much doubt around anyone who would take his place.Chelsea’s go-to guy not allowed to go, although he’s not Tuchel’s first choiceWhen the Gunners play in a 3-5-2 formation, Tierney did not have the right support in the position of left back or left winger. It was practically the only real choice of Arteta, and everything else was improvisation: Bukayo Saka would stay back, Cedric Soares changed position, but it just wasn’t it., the Spanish tactician even experimented with moving Granit Xhaka along the left flank. Such alternatives were a result of helplessness and lack of other solution, since Tierney suffered numerous injuries during the season.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Mikel Arteta does not want to risk it again – he made a mistake when he let Sead Kolasinac go to Schalke and Nacho Monreal to Real Sociedad. He was left without a replacement for Tierney, and before the new season starts, the Gunners do not want to live with a lack of options. Arsenal are on the hunt and are close to snatching quite a prey. It looks like Nuno Tavares, left back of Benfica, is close to signing for the team from the Emirates Stadium.Arteta and his associates closely monitored the development of the young Portuguese and believe Nuno Tavares can be Tierney’s replacement. And more.The Gunners believe that 9.5 million USD (1 billion KSH) will be enough for Benfica to approve the transfer with an additional 2.3 million USD (250 million KSH) in bonuses.Legendary Patrick Vieira is coming back to the English Premier LeagueArsenal are not the only ones that have shown interest in 21-year-old Nuno Tavares, who made 25 appearances for the Lisbon Eagles last season. Napoli, Southampton and Brighton are also sneaking around Estadio Da Luz, so the Gunners decided to speed up the process of bringing the Portuguese.The finalization of the transfer is nearing it’s end and it remains for Nuno Tavares to pass the medicals and put pen-on-paper.
