Why Arsenal are making a MISTAKE with Kieran Tierney exit

James Shearman

• Updated: 25 Aug 2023 17:29 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal have decided to let defender Kieran Tierney leave on loan to La Liga club Real Sociedad.

Tierney was deemed surplus to requirements by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and has therefore been granted a move.

And it's an exciting challenge for the Scotsman, as he will get the opportunity to test himself in a new country and in the Champions League.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

However, from Arsenal's point of view, it is not such a good deal, as there is no option to buy involved.

Tierney will return to the north London club next summer and his future will need to be addressed once more.

The Gunners will receive a loan fee and Real Sociedad are going to pay his wages in full, but that does not make the deal worthwhile.

Arsenal are making a mistake

If Tierney were to be sold for a decent transfer fee, then letting him go would have made more sense.

In that case, they could use those funds to sign a replacement that Arteta would be happier with.

Instead, they have agreed to a deal that weakens the depth of their squad for no significant financial benefit.

And with the injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber, Arsenal do not have an abundance of quality defenders.

See, Arteta has implemented an asymmetric 4-3-3 formation this season, with Thomas Partey lining up at right-back and moving into midfield.

This sees the Gunners defence look like a back three in possession, with an overload in central areas allowing them to dominate possession.

Now, Tierney isn't viewed as central defender, but he has actually performed extremely well in that role for Scotland.

As a backup option, there is no reason why he could not have been a part of the squad this season.

He could have even started in Arsenal's Premier League match against Fulham on Saturday, given Timber's injury and Takehiro Tomiyasu's suspension.