Kieran Tierney may be on his way back to Celtic this summer. But Arsenal fans clearly believe their outgoing hero has a big part to play in the title run-in.
Hoops chairman Peter Lawwell officially confirmed last week that KT had agreed a sensational return to Parkhead on a pre-contract. Brendan Rodgers wanted to secure an early homecoming for the fans’ idol in January, but Mikel Arteta blocked the move as the Gunners squad has been depleted by an injury crisis.
Left-back Tierney has demonstrated his versatility in recent years by playing at centre back for Scotland. And this season, the 27-year-old has been regularly deployed as a WINGER at Arsenal – with Arteta desperately short of attacking options. Key trio Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are all sidelined, and the North London club were dealt another major blow during the week when it was confirmed that Kai Havertz would miss the rest of the campaign with a hamstring issue.
That’s seen Tierney shifted from his usual position in the backline to form a part of a makeshift front three, stepping up as a left winger in various cameos. He’s shone in that role too as Arteta relies on the defender-turned-wide man’s trademark deliveries. And after another flat display from Raheem Sterling during Saturday’s 2-0 win at Leicester City, some fans have demanded that Tierney should be given the nod ahead of the ex-Liverpool and Man City superstar.
Sterling – who has failed to make an impact at the Emirates since joining on loan from Chelsea in the summer – was hooked for Mikel Merino with 20 minutes to go. It was a stroke of genuis from Arteta, as the Spaniard made an instant impact by netting a late brace to down a stubborn Foxes side. Tierney was also given a run-out in the 89th minute, and Arsenal diehards are convinced he’s a better option than Sterling.
One wrote: “Just don’t start Sterling ever again. It is better to have Kieran Tierney as a winger.” Another commented: “That Sterling experiment has to stop. We would rather play Kieran Tierney as a left winger.” A third added: “Kieran Tierney left wing, I used to pray for times like this.”
The priceless win at the King Power keeps Arsenal firmly in the hunt for Premier League glory as they closed the gap on Liverpool to four points, with the leaders hosting Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.