Jamie Carragher believes Nuno Tavares is at fault for Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League last season. 

Despite a poor start to the campaign, Mikel Arteta's side threatened to get back into Europe's elite competition for the first time in six years.

First choice left back Kieran Tierney picked up a season ending knee injury during an international break with Scotland in April and Tavares was reintroduced into the team. 

Jamie Carragher (left) says Nuno Tavares is at fault for Arsenal's Champions League failure 

Arsenal went on to lose three consecutive games against Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton, with Tavares struggling heavily against the latter two.

They missed out on a place in the top four to north London rivals Tottenham and will as a result compete in the Europa League this season.  

Carragher believes the Portuguese defender is at fault for Arsenal's failure. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: ‘Nuno Tavares has gone out on loan, I saw. I think if they had a better left-back, then you probably would be in the top four now.

‘I don’t like singling one player out, but I just think he cost you in certain games.

‘I remember that game at Crystal Palace last season, it was on Monday Night Football and I said on TV: “He has to come off at half-time”. I think he [Mikel Arteta] put Granit Xhaka at left-back in the end.’

After appearing in pre-season friendlies against Chelsea and Everton, Tavares has been loaned out to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for the upcoming campaign. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal will kick-off the Premier League season with a trip to Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace on Friday night.