Speaking to RMC Sport, Nuno Tavares said: "At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me, that's not even the point.
"Finally be able to play in my position. When signing with Marseille, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused.
"Me and my agents wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn't. With or without it, I'm happy. At Arsenal, I would have probably only played in the cup.
"I came to Marseille to play in my position, in the Champions League, in the league and in the cup [competition]. Marseille gave me this opportunity."
Tavares joined Ligue 1 side Marseille on a season-long loan last summer after making infrequent appearances for Arsenal throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
The 22-year-old full-back is set to return to the Emirates in the summer of 2023 when his long-term future at the club will be assessed by Mikel Arteta.
