Mikel Arteta insists Nuno Taveres has been presented with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate he is capable of being a first team regular for in the wake of Kieran Tierney’s latest injury set-back.
The Scotland international will miss the rest of the season after he aggravated a knee problem while on international duty.
Tavares made a promising start to his Arsenal career following his summer move from Benfica, but has struggled badly on his last two competitive outings.
The 22-year-old was hauled off in the early stages of January’s defeat at Nottingham Forest and was substituted at half-time on Monday evening following another error-strewn display against at Selhurst Park.
Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from that chastening 3-0 defeat which damaged their Champions League qualifying aspirations and Arteta confirmed Tavares was in contention to feature against Brighton tomorrow.
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.’
Tavares revealed he was frustrated after his display against Palace and Arteta confirmed he had spoken to the youngster in an attempt to lift his spirits.
‘Obviously I spoke with Nuno because I care a lot how they [players] feel,’ added Arteta. ‘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.’
Tierney, meanwhile, underwent surgery on Thursday and Arteta revealed it was too soon to predict whether the former Celtic star would be in contention to feature in Scotland’s World Cup play-off match in the summer.
He said: ‘He’s just had surgery yesterday. It’s very early to understand how everything is going to develop.
‘I think the player has to do the maximum to be in the best possible condition as soon as possible.’
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