Nuno Tavares has vowed to fight for his future at Arsenal.
The left-back is currently out of favour at the Gunners and has spent the last two seasons out on loan.
Nottingham Forest, where Tavares spent last season, have declined the option to keep him permanently and so he is due to join up with Arsenal for pre-season.
And asked by Portuguese newspaper Record if his objective to convince in pre-season and earn a place in the Gunners’ squad, he said: “Yes, obviously, I have in mind to return to Arsenal and have a good pre-season.
“Regardless of what happens in the future, I will always do my best, as I have done in all pre-seasons, to have a place at the club. I always try to do my work in the best way. Then it’s up to the club to decide whether I’m a valid option or not.
“But I have a strong mentality. I know what I’m capable of. Sometimes things don’t depend on us, but my job is to focus on myself and do what I do best.
“I played for one of the biggest clubs, Benfica, where there was huge competition. Therefore, it doesn’t have to be a question of fear of competition, because I know my value and I don’t let anything affect me. I trust my work.
“I went with the intention of playing as many games as possible at Arsenal. Because it was my first year playing at a high level and in the Premier League, I think 28 games [in my first season at Arsenal] is very good for the first year. It was a good time.”
