Arsenal icon Martin Keown has revealed he 'feels sorry' for defender Kieran Tierney as Mikel Arteta faces a selection headache ahead of the Liverpool clash.
The Scotland international has struggled with injury throughout his career, but has reminded fans and his manager just what he can do with his recent performances. Tierney was a standout performer for Arsenal in the 3-0 win against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening after starting the game ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Ukraine international was left out of the match as a 'precautionary measure' and is set to return to the matchday squad for the huge clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Arteta was able to rest Tierney towards the end of the Europa League win in midweek with Takehiro Tomiyasu filling in at left-back, hinting that the Scottish defender may start the game against Jurgen Klopp's side should Zinchenko still be struggling with his fitness.
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Ex-Gunners defender Martin Keown fears Tierney could be growing frustrated at Arsenal as the club are ‘not completely meeting his needs’ in terms of game-time, as per The Metro. "I feel sorry for him," Keown told BT Sport after Arsenal cruised past Bodo/Glimt.
"He’s a high-calibre player and he comes on in every game. But obviously you’re not completely meeting his needs."
Tierney has played 419 minutes of football for the north London outfit so far this term having struggled with injury throughout pre-season. Keown added: "It shows you the quality and strength of the squad when he’s not starting. You want to have that competition and the level gets higher.
"Whether or not these players accept that going forward… I don’t know. As long as they play like that when they come in, I think there’s a future there for them."
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