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Mikel Arteta decided to put Granit Xhaka in the left-back position over Nuno Tavares for the clash with Brighton and paid the price for the risk. The Swiss international was caught out of position leading to the first goal.

Many supporters rightly criticised the Arsenal manager for dropping Tavares and weakening the midfield by isolating Albert Sambi Lokonga. With Southampton approaching, many are concerned that the Spaniard will repeat the decision and put Xhaka into his unorthodox role once again.

With this in mind, it was unsurprising that Arteta was asked about the decision in his pre-match press conference. He replied staunchly when asked whether there was a trust issue with Tavares.

“No,” Arteta replied. “The trust comes from the way I communicate with them. That I give them the right reasons, when I put a player on the pitch it's because I can see that they are in the right condition to do that. To show trust and for the player to show trust to us is that I'm going to give them the opportunity when I believe that he is ready to do that. When I see in the moment that he is doubting, I don't do him any favours by putting him in there.”

However, he