Kieran Gibbs has explained why Arsenal must not sell Kieran Tierney despite plans of summer clear-out. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium lately amid continued concerns over game time.
Tierney, who sees his contract at London Colney expire in 2026, has featured 26 times for the Gunners in the Premier League this season but, with Oleksandr Zinchenko preferred at left-back, he's only started on six occasions. While the Scotland international has impressed when called upon, he doesn't fit the profile that Mikel Arteta wants.
The Spaniard has operated Zinchenko as an inverted full-back this term, encouraging him to step in-field and almost accompany Thomas Partey as a second deep-lying playmaker. The Ukraine international has excelled in this position for Arsenal, leaving Tierney - an orthodox, byline-hugging full-back - on the sidelines.
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And, for this exact reason, Arteta has been told not to offload the Scotsman. Speaking on ESPN, Gibbs claimed that Tierney can still perform at a high level at left-back for the Gunners.
"I think the way Mikel wants to play, it may not suit Kieran as much as it does Zinchenko," said the former Arsenal defender, as quoted by Football.Scotland. "So, that answers the question, in that respect.
"Then you are going to need to get somebody else in. It’s tough to go and find another Zinchenko that can basically play in midfield and is that versatile and fits that style.
"I wouldn’t want Kieran to go because I think he has the capability of performing at a high level in his position. I think Zinchenko is good enough defensively. But he shouldn’t have to do that much if Arsenal are that good."
In April, Neil Lennon told Arteta that Tierney is simply a 'better defender' than Zinchenko, branding the £13million-rated Scotsman as a 'Rolls Royce'. Speaking to Premier League Odds, the former Celtic manager said: "I think Tierney will be used between now and the end of the season and I think he is going to play a massive part in Mikel's plans.
"I watched him play left centre-half for Scotland against Spain and he was outstanding. He’s a brilliant player who has struggled with niggly injuries over the years and you hope he can get a good run of games.
"I really think he is a top defender and I think the closer Arsenal get towards the end of the season, the more or a role I think he will play. I like Zinchenko and I think he is a fabulous player, but I’m not convinced he’s as good a defender as Kieran.
"I think he is actually likely to play at the Etihad against Man City, 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.
"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."
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