Gabby Agbonlahor says Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares ‘won’t play again’ as Mikel Arteta left with major problem

Gabby Agbonlahor doesn’t think Nuno Tavares will play for Arsenal again this season following his display against Crystal Palace.

The Portuguese youngster managed just 45 minutes in the 3-0 defeat to Palace on Monday night before being taken off at half-time by Mikel Arteta.

The same happened when he played against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in January – lasting just 34 minutes that time.

But following a tricky opening half against Jordan Ayew on Monday night, former Premier League striker Agbonlahor thinks he’s blown his chance of getting more minutes under his belt.

‘Tavares, I don’t think he’ll play again,’ Agbonlahor told Football Insider. ‘He’s been dragged twice at half-time in the last couple of months. He didn’t look very good at all against Palace.

‘But Xhaka can’t play left-back. He’ll be targeted by teams for his lack of pace.

‘There are some problems in there for Arsenal. Thomas Partey went down with what looked like a bad one. If you’re going down with muscle injuries at this stage of the season you might not play again this season.

‘With six or seven weeks left of the season, some of these injuries are going to see you out for the rest of the season.

‘It’s a bit of a headache for Arsenal. This is where they need to show what they are made of. It’s going to be a very fascinating race to see who gets into the top-four.’

Arteta will have to look at his options for left-back for the remainder of the season with Kieran Tierney ruled out for the campaign after requiring knee surgery.

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