Pundit: Tavares is better than Tierney at Arsenal - and this is why
Nuno Tavares is giving Mikel Arteta a "headache" at Arsenal, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker has suggested Tavares is currently Arteta's first-choice ahead of Kieran Tierney.
Tierney was handed his first Premier League start since October in the 2-1 loss to Everton on Monday (6 December).
Tavares started the previous six Premier League games and showed some fine form before being axed.
He replaced Tierney from the bench against Everton after 65 minutes with Arsenal 1-0 up at Goodison Park.
Mikel Arteta revealed at the beginning of December to club media that he wanted two players of similar quality in the same position, like Tavares and Tierney.
Asked for his assessment of the situation, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: "Arteta's got a headache.
"I like Tierney but I like Tavares as well. Tavares probably offers more going forward for me, he's quicker, he's seriously quick.
"But Tierney is a very good left-back as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.
"It's a good headache to have for the manager."
Tierney has played 71 times across all competitions for Arsenal and signed a new contract with the club in June that will keep him there until the summer of 2026.
He moved to the Gunners from Scottish giants Celtic in 2019 for a £25million fee.
Tavares, a Portugal Under-21 international, was a £8million summer signing from Benfica after enjoying a breakout campaign in the 2020-21 season.