Luck continues to desert Kieran Tierney after his long awaited Arsenal comeback was ended early through injury.
The former Celtic star made his return to Mikel Arteta‘s side for the first time in 19 months after battling back from a hamstring injury suffered during Scotland’s dismal Eu2024 campaign. After spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad, Tierney was in from the start for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at home to Crystal Palace.
But he lasted just 65 minutes before having to come off injured, prematurely ending what had been an impressive display from the left back. He had to contribute to an Arsenal fight back after Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the visitors an early lead. But a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick booked the hosts’ spot on the last four, although Gunners old boy Eddie Nketiah’s late strike made for a nervy finish at the Emirates.
It remains to be seen how serious Tierney’s injury is. However, his chances of forcing his way back into Arteta’s plans seem remote regardless of fitness. The Spaniard has said that Tierney doesn’t have the qualities he’s looking for and a summer departure seems inevitable.
A return to Celtic remains the dream for fans desperate to see KT back in the Hoops. But unless a loan deal can be struck, Tierney’s wages and the fee Arsenal will be looking for would make a permanent switch back to his boyhood club financially impossible.