Martin Keown has said that it is unfortunate for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney that Mikel Arteta is picking Nuno Tavares ahead of him, as quoted in The Daily Star.
Tierney is the first-choice left-back at Arsenal, but Tavares has been getting the nod ahead of him in recent times.
The 21-year-old Portuguese left-back has a bad game against Liverpool.
However, Arsenal manager Arteta – credit to him – kept faith in Tavares and started him against Newcastle United on Saturday.
The youngster provided an assist, as the Gunners won the Premier League game 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Keiran Tierney v Nuno Tavares verdict
The Daily Star quotes Keown as saying: “I wonder whether he might’ve said to him, ‘why are you not playing Tierney this week?’ I wonder if he would’ve said, ‘why is Lokonga playing?’
“I admire that Arteta wants to stick with players – I’m not saying he’s blinkered – and says, ‘I believe in you enough to play you again.’
“It’s very unfortunate for Tierney because he’s one of Arsenal’s best players.”
Nuno Tavares deserves his Arsenal place
Yes, we know that Tierney is the best left-back at Arsenal.
The Scotland international is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.
However, Tavares deserves to be in the Arsenal team right now.
He is playing well and is doing his job perfectly.
Now, of course, we know that Tierney will return to the Arsenal starting lineup at some point.
But, in our view, it is important that Arteta has the option to call upon a left-back who could be even better than Tierney in the coming years.
Competition for places can only be good for Arsenal.
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