Kieran Tierney is in Mikel Arteta's plans at Arsenal.
The Gunners boss insists he's told the Scotland international he will be involved in his first team during the season ahead.
It comes amid mounting speculation that the defender will leave The Emirates this summer.
The 25-year-old was left out of the team for Arsenal's Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
And Arteta admits he hopes that decision was bitterly disappointing to Tierney.
New signing Jurrien Timber started at left-back in favour of Tierney at the weekend. The former Ajax defender is predominantly a right-back, so his appearance on the left flank further fuelled talk that Tierney's time under Arteta was up.
Timber limped off in that game though and appears to have done damage to his ACL.
Asked about Tierney in today's press conference ahead of Arsenal's next game against Crystal Palace, Arteta was cagey and firm in his response.
Answering a question about Tierney being in his plans, the Spaniard said: "Well, he played the Community Shield. How can a player that played five days before (the league started) not be in my plans?"
And then when asked if Tierney was disappointed to be left out versus Forest, Arteta added: "I hope so."
Meanwhile, Tierney's prospective move to Newcastle this summer could well be off the table.
It has emerged this morning that the Premier League side are working on an alternative option.
Eddie Howe's side has been confirmed to have submitted a bid believed to be worth £35million for Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall.
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