Paul Merson has backed Mikel Arteta to continue with Nuno Tavares in what he believes will be a solid response from Arsenal on Saturday.
Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
Earlier this week, the in-form Gunners were brought back down to Earth with a bang after losing 3-0 away to Crystal Palace.
That defeat definitely dented their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, with Tottenham Hotspur staying fourth in the Premier League standings as a result of that result.
However, Merson is backing his old club to pick up three points against the Seagulls – and believes that the Spanish manager will recall Tavares, after taking him off at half-time at Selhurst Park.
He told Sportskeeda: “I expect Arsenal to jump straight back on the horse and win this game after dropping three valuable points against Crystal Palace.
“Nuno Tavares struggled against Palace but you have to understand that it’s hard for someone to come straight into these kinds of games and get going immediately. I felt a bit sorry for the bloke because he wasn’t playing for a bit and all of a sudden, he got thrust into the action. I think he’ll be alright in the weeks ahead and should keep his spot in the team in Kieran Tierney’s absence.”
Is Merson right?
Well, Arsenal supporters will be hoping so, but nothing is guaranteed.
Remember, the reason why Tavares might play again is because Kieran Tierney is sidelined with a knee injury, with Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu also absent due to fitness problems.
That’s three defence-minded players out for Arsenal and therefore Arteta won’t be taking anything for granted against Graham Potter’s troops this weekend.
The Gunners’ defence has been remarkable for most of the season, but Tierney’s been a massive part of that and time will tell how the North Londoners cope with his absence.
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