Mikel Arteta has backed Nuno Tavares to bounce back after being hooked off early in Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Speaking to the press via Football London, the Gunners manager stated that he is confident the 20-year-old defender will earn from the experience.
Tavares was one of six signings Arsenal made this summer, with the defender joining for a reported £8m from Benfica. And aside from Sunday’s episode against Forest, the fullback has largely impressed for the north London side as a backup to Kieran Tierney.
Indeed, the youngster has been a shrewd pickup for Arsenal, and Arteta is confident that Tavares will learn important lessons from his early bath against Forest, with his body language criticised by both Roy Keane and Ian Wright as per the Mirror.
Arteta said: “These things happen in football. I’m there to make the right decisions. It’s not pleasant but at the same time we are here to help our players and we have to do it in many different ways.
The Arsenal boss added about Tavares: “Hopefully that’s a way. In my side it gives me even more encouragement to help them because I’ve been there. It’s part of a process.”
Tavares response to Forest debacle will define his debut Arsenal season
Arteta’s decision to take Tavares off just after 30 minutes against Forest was a bold decision from the Arsenal boss. However, how the Portuguese youngster responds will be key to how the defender’s season pans out.
Indeed, the youngster has proven to be brilliant at times for Arsenal, particularly in matches in the League Cup. And what Tavares does next will be key to if his first year in north London is a success.
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