Matthew Upson believes that Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Granit Xhaka at left-back speaks volumes for his lack of trust in Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares.
It’s been an awful week for Arsenal.
First, Arteta’s outfit slumped to a 3-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace on Monday night, with Tavares being hauled off at half time.
And then on Saturday, the Gunners lost 2-1 to Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.
Xhaka, a midfielder, started at left-back in place of the injured Kieran Tierney after Tavares’s struggles at Selhurst Park.
And former Arsenal defender Upson believes that Arteta’s decision says it all about how he feels about the 22-year-old Portuguese player right now.
He said live on Optus Sport: “Hugely missed. It’s a solid base. Interesting that he’s gone with Xhaka. That’s how bad he [Arteta] must feel about Tavares’s performance because to move your recognised centre midfielder out of that area out of the pitch, when you’ve lost your other centre midfielder, tells you everything.”
Upson is bang on the money.
Arteta clearly has very little trust in Tavares after his horror show against the Eagles on Monday night.
With Thomas Partey already sidelined, it was massively important for Xhaka to stay in Arsenal’s midfield yesterday.
Truthfully, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Emile Smith Rowe didn’t really work out as a midfield-two.
And in retrospect, playing Tavares at left-back and keeping Xhaka in his usual position probably would’ve been the smartest decision.
Then again, had Tavares struggled again, and cost Arsenal more goals, the Spanish manager would’ve been crucified for not keeping him on the bench.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
