Arsenal flop Nuno Tavares 'annoying Marseille coaching staff' as he is 'unable to follow instructions'

Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares is continuing to frustrate while on loan at Marseille, according to reports in France.

Tavares, 23, joined the Ligue 1 club on loan at the start of the season after being deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal.

His departure followed reports that Mikel Arteta had become 'annoyed' by the Portuguese's behaviour, prompting the Spaniard to give the green light for him to be loaned out.

Tavares hit the ground running at Marseille, scoring three times in his opening four Ligue 1 appearances.

Hopes were high that he would enjoy the same success William Saliba, who spent last season on loan at Stade Velodrome before returning to Arsenal an improved player.

But after a strong start, Portugal U21 international Tavares has found himself under pressure - with his defensive capabilities and professionalism being called into question.

Tavares 'annoying' Marseille staff

Tavares was dropped for Marseille's 3-1 win over Troyes on Sunday night in favour of Man City loanee Issa Kabore.

Kabore, who typically plays at right-back, filled in for Tavares on the left side of the defence, with French outlet L'Equipe (via talkSPORT) claiming the City youngster has a better understanding of head coach Igor Tudor's tactics.

The report claims that Tavares has 'annoyed the club's staff with his efforts' and is unable to consistently follow instructions.

It also claims that he was banished from a training session earlier this month for displaying a poor attitude.

Marseille next face Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday and it is unclear whether Tavares will return to the starting line-up.

It now looks certain Marseille won't attempt to sign him on a permanent deal this summer, with the player set to return to Arsenal.

But it remains to be seen whether he will figure in Arteta's plans moving forward.

Tavares still has two years left on his deal at the Emirates and could be sold this summer to raise transfer funds, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney ahead of him in the pecking order.

Topics: Arsenal, Marseille, Football, Premier League, Ligue 1

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan