'We have to help him' - Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal fans to support Nuno Tavares

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal fans to get behind Nuno Tavares after another turbulent performance by the left-back in their 3-1 victory over Manchester United.

Tavares, 22, scored the game’s first goal on Saturday but Gunners fans were heard criticising the Portuguese after a series of poor passes in the second half while he looked vulnerable throughout defensively.

Since joining from Benfica last summer, Tavares has endured a difficult time at Arsenal and, earlier this month, was taken off at half-time at Crystal Palace after he was deemed at fault for Palace’s first two goals.

Arteta believes Tavares is still learning his trade and has pleaded with the Arsenal following to give him the backing he needs.

He said: ‘We have to help him. He needs to go through these experiences to understand, OK what trigged that moment, when you go from here to there – and give him support.

‘We know, I’ve said this many times, the bill that you have to pay with these players is that they have never experienced this.

‘So they are going to make mistakes, and they are going to make decisions that – from here it’s very easy to say “why have you done that?” – but they are there on the pitch, and let’s give them support because they need it.’

In recent matches, Tavares has been re-introduced to the starting line-up after Kieran Tierney was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

After a brief run in the side earlier in the campaign, Tavares has rarely featured this season and was substituted after just 33 minutes in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in January.

Arsenal’s victory over United has sent them two points clear of north London rivals Tottenham in the race for a top-four finish.

But Arteta has