Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Edu for sorting out a deal to sign Nuno Tavares from Benfica in the summer transfer window.
A backup left-back was a priority for Arsenal before the start of the season. No left-back was ever going to come in to replace Kieran Tierney, but we really did need someone to provide cover whenever required.
Tavares checked that box and he has been brilliant. He was handed his full Arsenal debut against Aston Villa last Friday and he was fantastic. Arteta has been singing his praises since, and he has now revealed his biggest quality.
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Mikel Arteta: Nuno Tavares is not fazed by anything
Asked about Tavares’ lack of nerves on his debut, the Gunners boss said, as per Arsenal.com: “That’s something that we really liked about Nuno when we were looking at him and credit to Edu and the scouting department when they were doing the process because that is something that we have discussed a lot because we want a certain character to play for Arsenal.
“To deal with that pressure, to be able to perform straight away when you are needed and to go from not playing to playing straight away, and to have this capacity to do what he did. So credit to the boy.
“One of the biggest qualities he has is that he is not fazed at all when is playing. He was not fazed to make a debut like he did, the risks that he takes, the actions that he puts in place.
“Plus what you can see, his physicality, he is naturally a very gifted athlete. He can run and he can change speed and direction, and technically he is very gifted. But, for me, the most important thing is that he is a defender and he needs to defend first, and then he can provide the rest of his qualities.”
The Insider’s View:
Tavares is a fantastic young talent. He is rapid, very tricky, extremely composed and is two-footed as well. The youngster was impressive against Villa and he is expected to start again tonight.
Leeds United come to town in the next round of the Carabao Cup this evening. Facing Marcelo Bielsa’s teams is never easy and Tavares will be tested, especially if Raphinha is declared fit and starts.
However, the young Portuguese defender has shown that nothing really fazes him and we expect to come out and impress us again at the Emirates this evening.
