"I think he cost you in certain games" – Jamie Carragher hits out at Arsenal defender
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher hit out at Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares, who recently joined Marseille on a one-year loan deal, for his below-par performances last season. He feels that the Portuguese cost the Gunners some valuable points in important games last season.
Tavares, who joined the Gunners from Benfica for around £8 million last summer, failed to impress in his debut campaign at the Emirates. He made 28 appearances across competitions, scoring one goal and giving two assists. However, his poor marking and low concentration put him under fire, most notably during the tail end of the campaign.
Arsenal failed to secure a UEFA Champions League spot last season, owing to three successive defeats to mid-table opponents Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton in April. Tavares struggled poorly against Palace and had to be substituted during the half-time break.
Speaking to Sky Sports (via Mirror), Carragher shared his two cents on Tavares, who has now left on loan, saying:
"Nuno Tavares has gone out on loan, I saw. I think if they had a better left-back, then you probably would be in the top four now. I don't like singling one player out, but I just think he cost you in certain games."
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Official, confirmed. Nuno Tavares to Olympique Marseille on season loan until June 2023, no buy option - he will be back at Arsenal next year. 🔵 #OM #TeamOM
Huge work by OM board after really difficult negotiation with many clubs included. https://t.co/sccOHG5VjM
He added:
"I remember that game at Crystal Palace last season; it was on Monday Night Football, and I said on TV: 'He has to come off at half-time'. I think he (Mikel Arteta) put Granit Xhaka at left-back in the end."
The north London outfit have made a few reinforcements in the ongoing transfer window. They signed left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City for £31.50 million this summer. The club have also added striker Gabriel Jesus, midfielder Fabio Vieira, goalkeeper Matt Turner and forward Marquinhos. Arsenal will open their Premier League campaign at Crystal Palace on August 6.
Mikel Arteta wants more signings at Arsenal
Speaking after a dominating 6-0 win over Sevilla in a pre-season friendly, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta told reporters (via Goal):
"We are still hoping to do something else, if the market allows. You have seen some movement in the last few days as well. We want to get the perfect balance and the plan we wanted from the beginning. Whether we accomplish that or not is another story."
From: @JacobsBen "As Leicester have said and as I’ve said repeatedly, Arsenal have never made an offer for Youri Tielemans."
“What they have done is gone to the player and agreed personal terms, broadly speaking. https://t.co/kZtD0f87yw
According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans is on Arsenal's shortlist. Since his arrival in England in January 2019, the player has made 158 appearances across competitions, scoring and assisting 24 goals apiece. He has 52 caps for his national side Belgium.