Arteta reveals plan for forgotten Arsenal man

Tom Weber

Updated: 10 Dec 2024 16:16 GMT
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that Kieran Tierney will get first-team opportunities in upcoming games.

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The Scotland international has become a forgotten figure at Arsenal over recent seasons. Initially displaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko, Tierney spent the previous campaign on loan at Real Sociedad.

When fit, the 27-year-old was a useful player for the LaLiga side, but the problem that has plagued Tierney for years is the simple fact that he can't seem to stay fit. Injuries have been a recurring issue at Arsenal and this didn't change in Spain, hence his loan was not made permanent.

In the summer, Tierney suffered a new setback at Euro 2024 and has not been seen on the pitch since. However, the former Celtic star is now back to relative fitness and may yet have a role to play in Arsenal's season.

Arteta on Tierney

Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Monaco, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Tierney will get opportunities given that Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Zinchenko are dealing with fitness problems themselves.

"Yeah, he's ready and training really well and he's going to have an opportunity for sure the way the team is looking at the moment," Arteta said. "He's going to do that for that reason and because he's earned it.

"The way he's behaved, the way he's been with us and because he's willing to do it. When that happens you have to give opportunities to those kinds of players."

It remains to be seen if the present situation will influence Arsenal's thinking for January. Tierney has been a candidate to depart for some time but his injury troubles prevented any move.

The player himself previously admitted that it was difficult to see a way back for him at Arsenal, but persistence, patience and the exigencies of the team may yet keep him at the Emirates until the summer.