Arteta apologises to one player after loss to Crystal Palace

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has tendered apology to Nuno Tavares after he took him off at halftime during their game vs Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

The Gunners suffered 3-0 scoreline vs Patrick Vieira’s led squad.

Arteta started the 22-year-old as a replacement for Kieran Tierney, who is out with knee injury.

But Tavares was part of what led to Crystal Palace’s second goal, as he was caught on his heels which allowed Jordan Ayew to score.

Arteta, in a post-match statement, apologised to him as he said the removal had to do with tactical reasons.

“Today it was just a tactical reason.

“How I want to do it with what Palace was doing and how we could attack and control the game much better in that position.

“We put on another attacking midfielder with Emile in that space and that was the only reason.

“I’m sorry that it was Nuno again but we had to do it,” Arteta said.