EXCLUSIVE: Kieran Tierney talks to STAY at Arsenal ‘progressing well’

Steve Kay

18 Jun 2023 18:25 BST
3 min read

Kieran Tierney playing against FC Zurich for Arsenal in the Europa League — © ProShots

Talks between Kieran Tierney and Arsenal regarding the Scottish defender staying at the club next season are “progressing well”, FootballTransfers has been told.

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Tierney has been strongly considering leaving the club this summer in order to search for regular football, having lost his first-team place in 2022-23.

Talks had taken place over a swap deal with Manchester City that would have seen Tierney move to the Etihad in a cash-plus player exchange involving Joao Cancelo.

But Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sat down with Tierney and made it clear that he does not want Tierney to leave this summer.

Tierney was assured that he remains an important part of the Arsenal squad and will get plenty of game-time in 2023-24.

The understanding is that Arteta plans to regularly set up in a three-man backline next term, with Tierney ideal for such a system.

Arteta has no plans currently to bring in a new left back in the hope that the Scotsman will fight for his place next season. The former Celtic player was also told that if Cancelo were to arrive it would be for the right-back position.

Cancelo will leave Man City this summer, and Arteta remains a big fan of the player.

City manager Pep Guardiola also appreciates Tierney. He was initially courted by Guardiola in January. Indeed, Guardiola first spoke to Arteta about Tierney during the World Cup.

Arsenal rejected City’s interest in January because Tierney was their only recognised cover at left-back, while selling to a title rival was always likely to prove problematic in the middle of the season.

City remain interested, but it seems as if talks between Tierney and Arsenal are solidifying their relationship in order to continue together into next term.