Tavares who has had a torrid time playing at the left-back for Arsenal this season was at fault for Crystal Palaces’ first two goals
By Kehinde Okeowo
North London club, Arsenal missed the opportunity to return to the 4th position on the English Premier League log table after they were thrashed 3-0 by city rivals, Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
Mikel Arteta later apologised to Nuno Tavares for taking him off at half time and rationalised his decision to make the change, saying he did to take control of the game after a poor first half by The Gunners.
The 22-year-old Tavares started at left-back, in place of Kieran Tierney, who missed the game due to a knee injury.
The Portuguese defender, who has had a torrid time playing at the left-back for Arsenal since joining the club, was at fault for Crystal Palaces’ first two goals.
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He wasn’t strong enough to prevent the cross that led to the first goal, and he was also caught on his heels which allowed Jordan Ayew to score the second.
Tavares last played for Arsenal when he was substituted after just 35 minutes in the defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in January.
However, Arteta has justified his decision to replace the player during the Crystal Palace game, insisting it was for tactical reasons.
He said, “Today it was just a tactical reason.
“How I want to do it with what Palace was doing and how we could attack and control the game much better in that position.
“We put on another attacking midfielder with Emile in that space and that was the only reason.
“I’m sorry that it was Nuno again but we had to do it,”