Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has insisted that Kieran Tierney will still have a role to play for the Gunners this season, according to a report from the Metro.
Tierney has been touted to leave Arsenal this summer – but Arteta’s recent interview seems to suggest that he would like to keep him at the club.
Several other Arsenal players, such as Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Rob Holding have also been linked with a transfer away from the club in the current window.
Given their heavy spending on superstars such as Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal would benefit from offloading playing staff to balance the books – but if Arteta’s words are to be believed, Tierney will not be among them.
What did Mikel Arteta have to say about Kieran Tierney?
On Tierney’s status, Arteta said: “He played the [Community Shield] final, no? A player that plays five days before in the final is part of the plans, for sure.”
When asked if Tierney was disappointed to have been left out of the squad for the game against Nottingham Forest, Arteta merely responded: “I hope so.”
Could Kieran Tierney have a role to play for Arsenal this season?
Following the injury sustained by Timber that will keep him out of action for several months, it could open the door for Tierney to return to the first team.
Timber was deployed at left-back against Forest – which, of course, is Tierney’s natural position. Moreover, the Gunners’ first-choice left-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko, is also currently out of action.
This leaves the Scottish international as Arsenal’s only natural left-back. As such, this presents an excellent opportunity for him – however, he will have limited time to impress, as it is likely that he will be replaced once again when the players ahead of him in the pecking order regain fitness.
Tierney has been targeted by a number of clubs over the course of the ongoing summer transfer window – including Newcastle United and his former team Celtic. Therefore, if he wishes to exit the Emirates Stadium this season, he is not without potential suitors.
