{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Arsenal 'cannot hide away from the facts' after Nuno Tavares slammed by Carragher - expert
Kevin Campbell has claimed a lack of game time is behind Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares “struggles”.
However, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners and Everton striker said the 22-year-old “cannot hide away” from his lacklustre performance at Crystal Palace.
Tavares was handed a rare Premier League start on Monday night in the absence of the injured Kieran Tierney.
The left-back struggled before being replaced by Gabriel Martinelli at half time.
An £8million summer signing from Benfica, Tavares has been withdrawn early in both of his last two starts.
As quoted by Football.London (4 April), Jamie Carragher slammed the full-back’s display at Selhurst Park when speaking on Sky Sports.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his thoughts on Tavares, Campbell said: “When he came in he did really well. It was amazing.
“But if we’re honest, he has not shown a lot of promise since that opening run of games.
“Tierney was always going to be the number one and that means Tavares has had a severe lack of game time. When he was playing regularly he looked good. But he has not had the opportunity to build momentum up recently.
“It’s a long old season and when the real tests came for him against Liverpool and Forest he made mistakes. He has barely kicked a ball since which makes it difficult for him.
“The reality is, he struggled against Palace. You cannot hide away from the facts.”
In other news, an Arsenal idol has issued a two-word verdict as Saka controversy analysed.