manager Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal fans to get behind after another turbulent performance by the left-back in their 3-1 victory over .
Tavares, 22, scored the game’s first goal on Saturday but Gunners fans were heard criticising the Portuguese after a series of poor passes in the second half while he looked vulnerable throughout defensively.
Since joining from Benfica last summer, Tavares has endured a difficult time at Arsenal and, earlier this month, was taken off at half-time at after he was deemed at fault for Palace’s first two goals.
Arteta believes Tavares is still learning his trade and has pleaded with the Arsenal following to give him the backing he needs.
He said: ‘We have to help him. He needs to go through these experiences to understand, OK what trigged that moment, when you go from here to there – and give him support.
‘We know, I’ve said this many times, the bill that you have to pay with these players is that they have never experienced this.
‘So they are going to make mistakes, and they are going to make decisions that – from here it’s very easy to say “why have you done that?” – but they are there on the pitch, and let’s give them support because they need it.’
In recent matches, Tavares has been re-introduced to the starting line-up after Kieran Tierney was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
After a brief run in the side earlier in the campaign, Tavares has rarely featured this season and was substituted after just 33 minutes in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in January.
Arsenal’s victory over United has sent them two points clear of north London rivals Tottenham in the race for a top-four finish.
But Arteta has warned his team not to relent in their focus ahead of the run-in.
He added: ‘This changes so quickly, but my belief is that we’re going to give it a real go, we can win football matches, but the margins are very small and we have to be very aware of that. Winning and losing in this league and where we are today, is defined by the small margins.’
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