Arsenal's next three Premier League games may not only prove decisive for their top-four chances, but it could also have major implications for Nuno Tavares ahead of the summer transfer window.
Prior to the March international break, the Gunners were in control of their own destiny, but after back-to-back losses at the hands of Crystal Palace and Brighton, they now trail north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur by three points in the race to seal Champions League qualification for next season.
For Arsenal to win the top-four battle, Spurs must drop points in the run-in as Antonio Conte's side have a superior goal difference in the event the two teams can't be separated at the end of the campaign. With that said, it's important the Gunners return to winning ways as soon as possible otherwise they risk falling further behind.
READ MORE: Pablo Mari gives Arsenal the green light to complete transfer to avoid £7.4m bonus payments
One look at Arsenal's remaining games for the month and things are not going to be easy. On Saturday they face a Southampton side eager to bounce back from a 6-0 hammering at home to Chelsea, then it's a trip to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday night followed by the visit of Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium three days later.
When the final whistle is blown a week on Saturday, it will be known as to if the Gunners are still genuine top-four contenders and furthermore there could be a clear indication over whether or not Tavares has a future in north London. This is despite the Portugal U21 only arriving at the club last summer.
Signed from Benfica as Kieran Tierney's understudy at left-back, the defender's almost spotless injury record immediately made him the perfect addition to the Arsenal squad. The fact he has managed to steer clear of any long-term injuries and his consistent availability meant he could step in when the Scot needed a breather or if his injury nightmare struck again.
This was the case earlier in the season as Tavares got a run in the side with Tierney out injured and even when the latter returned to fitness, Arteta stuck with the 22-year-old up until the 3-2 loss away at Manchester United at the beginning of December, but he has not made it out for the second half on his last two starts against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
With Tierney out for the season with a knee injury and Tavares available for selection, it was a surprise to many that Granit Xhaka lined up in the back four alongside Cedric Soares, Benjamin White and Gabriel Magalhaes against Brighton. The decision ultimately backfired and has added intrigue as to what Arteta will do against Southampton.
If the player signed as cover for Tierney can't get a start at St Mary's when the first-choice left-back is absent, and the situation doesn't change for games against Chelsea and Man United it will only bring about questions regarding Tavares' future and if a decision to sell him this summer has quietly been made.
"Obviously I speak with the players and I spoke with Nuno because I care a lot how they feel," the Spaniard said. "We are to help them and make their careers better. That was a decision that hurt him obviously, but he understands that it was for the benefit of the team, that I believed it was for the benefit of the team. He respects that and now he needs to react to that situation because it’s a great opportunity to learn a lot in that period of your career."
Despite those comments, it seems that the next three games will be the biggest indicator yet regarding Tavares' future and it will be very interesting to see what decision Arteta takes.
