Arsenal: Arteta 'trust' issue at Emirates Stadium involving £11.7m star

Mikel Arteta has trust issues over Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The £11.8m-rated left-back joined from Benfica last summer but has struggled for regular chances under the Spaniard.

Since losing his place in the side following Kieran Tierney’s return from injury before Christmas, it’s been a wretched time for the Portuguese full-back.

Prior to the defeat at Crystal Palace last Monday, his only start in 2022 came at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, but with the Gunners at sixes and sevens early on, Tavares suffered the embarrassment of being substituted after just 35 minutes.

Tavares has hardly kicked a ball since then, but with Tierney now out for the rest of the season with a knee problem, he was handed a rare chance to impress under the lights at Selhurst Park.

But Tavares was partly at fault for both of Palace’s first two goals, and with Arsenal trailing 2-0 at the break, he was hauled off by Arteta.

As a result, Arteta opted to start Granit Xhaka for the defeat at Brighton on Saturday, overlooking Tavares despite him being the only fit left-back in the squad.

Therefore, Brown reckons that the Arsenal manager has trust issues over the ex-Portugal Under-21 defender.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Tavares was starting his first game since he was taken off after 30 minutes in the Forest disaster in the cup and it was notable [against Crystal Palace] that Carragher and Neville on Sky said he’s got to come off at half-time because he was playing so badly.

“He looks like a player who’s low on confidence. It’s not impossible he gets that back and his form improves, but it’s really anybody’s guess who starts there against Southampton because I’m not sure Arteta believes he can trust him.”

Erik ten