Arteta warned he's overlooking 'Rolls Royce' at Arsenal

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 9 Apr 2023 09:41 BST
• 3 min read

Kieran Tierney is a 'Rolls Royce' of a defender 'as good as anyone in the game' and Mikel Arteta should give him a chance at Arsenal, according to Neil Lennon.

Tierney was a mainstay of Arsenal's defence after joining in a Celtic club record £25 million deal in 2019 - until the club signed Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City last summer.

Since the Ukrainian's £32m arrival, Tierney has been largely relegated to the bench, making just four start in the Premier League - a competition Arsenal top, five points clear of champions City.

READ: Arsenal to axe SEVEN first-teamers including record signing

The Scotland international has been linked with a summer move to Newcastle, while he has also previously admitted that he would like to return to Celtic one day, but his former manager at Parkhead, Neil Lennon, think he still has something to give the Gunnners.

Lennon: 'Tierney a Rolls Royce'

"I think he is actually likely to play at the Etihad against Man City," he told Premier League Odds, looking forward to the title six-pointer later this month.

"He may not have as soft feet as Zinchenko - who can manipulate the ball in tight areas - Kieran is more of a dynamic player who drives teams up the pitch. But he is a brilliant defender, who still has a lot to offer Arsenal and Mikel, which will certainly be in the back of his mind as well.

READ: Arsenal willing to listen to offers for Tierney amid Newcastle interest

"He’s a Rolls Royce of a player and brilliant professional as well, who gives Scotland a lot of security with his pace and power at the back. I think that as a one-on-one defender, he is as good as anyone in the game as well."

Tierney is valued at €38.6m (£34.2m) by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and Arsenal could insist on at least that amount with the left-back's contract at the Emirates not expiring until the summer of 2026.