Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have an ‘impressive’ 21-year-old in their ranks, could start v Leicester

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Gunners left-back Nuno Tavares ahead of Saturday’s Leicester clash.

The north Londoners signed the 21-year-old in the summer for a reported £8.5million on a long-term contract.

Tavares has made eight competitive appearances for Arsenal to date, deputising well for Kieran Tierney.

The Scotland international is currently out with an ankle injury, and Tavares impressed in his place last week.

Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners over Aston Villa, and the 21-year-old summer signing ace delivered an energetic performance.

Tierney remains a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leicester, so Tavares could potentially start once again.

On Friday morning, Arteta told football.london of Tierney: “He’s progressing training. Let’s see how he is today.

“He felt a bit better last few days but he wasn’t 100 percent the other day to start the game.”

The outlet then asked Arteta what he has made of Tavares’ time at the Emirates Stadium so far.

“Yeah, he had an impressive performance for the first Premier League debut and to play the way he did with that intensity which he is not used to,” he said.

“Credit to the boy. I really like what he did. He’s still really young, he’s improving and he had a really good performance.”