Mikel Arteta has reminded fans and reporters alike of what he views as his main responsibility whilst manager of Arsenal as he called on left-back Nuno Tavares to respond following his latest showing.
The young Portuguese defender endured a torrid time of it during the Gunners last outing away at Crystal Palace, with Tavares arguably at fault for at least two of the Eagles' three goals on the night before he was hooked at the break. The former Benfica man has found first-team minutes hard to come by during his debut campaign in the Premier League given his status as Kieran Tierney's back-up.
However, it has recently been confirmed that the Scotland international will be out of action for the foreseeable future - certainly for the remainder of the season. Tierney sustained a knee injury during a training session last week and sat out the defeat at Selhurst Park this week.
As a result, Tavares will have to bounce back from his recent appearance quickly as he could be called upon as soon as this weekend for the visit of Brighton with Arsenal looking to get their Champions League qualification hopes back on track. Having been hauled off at half-time on Monday, the 22-year-old may have some mental hurdles to overcome.
After a stellar start to his Arsenal career, Tavares has dropped off over the last few months. The full-back was substituted inside the opening 35 minutes of the FA Cup third round defeat by Nottingham Forest - prompting an angry response from the defender.
Arteta has been quick to point out that there is no personal feud between the pair. He said: "Throughout your career you have to go through difficult moments. He had a good period when he arrived at the club and played more minutes than he was expecting. He’s ready and he’ s willing. He will be disappointed. There is nothing personal there."
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Arteta went on to shed light on how he is at the club to improve the players he has at his disposal as much as possible. "Obviously I spoke with Nuno because I care a lot how they [players] feel," added the Spaniard. "We’re there to make their careers better.
"That was a decision that hurt him obviously, but he understands it was for the benefit of the team. He now needs to react on that situation." How Tavares reacts could prove pivotal to his side's chances of finishing in the coveted fourth spot.
Arsenal now find themselves in fifth, below fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference. With that being said, the Gunners boast a game in hand over their North London neighbours.
