Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has issued a strong message to Kieran Tierney to “challenge the situation” he finds himself in at the Emirates Stadium.
The former Celtic defender has been linked with a move away from North London this summer with Newcastle thought to be interested in a £30m for his services. It has been suggested that Tierney would be open to a move away from Arsenal in order to get more first-team football.
The 25-year-old has made just four Premier League starts this term after falling behind summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko. That is compared to the 22 he made last season; having seen the closing stages of his campaign disrupted with a knee injury.
When asked about his stance on Tierney’s future, Arsenal boss Arteta has claimed that the Scottish left-back is aware of the situation but has challenged him to change it. Speaking ahead of his side’s Europa League clash with Sporting Portugal, he said: “He’s played under me a lot. He understands the situation and he needs to challenge the situation.”
Arteta’s comments are not the first time that he has opened up on Tierney’s situation at the Emirates Stadium. When asked if he could leave recently, Arteta was tight-lipped.
"I don’t know, I’m not thinking about it,” he replied. “I’m thinking about what’s best for the team and obviously the players with the right to play minutes which they all deserve and we’re going to try to do that in the next couple of games."
Tierney arrived at Arsenal from Celtic for £25m in the summer of 2019. He has made 113 appearances for the club and helped them to the FA Cup and Community Shield across his first two campaigns with the Gunners.
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The 35-time Scottish international has just over three years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium. Whilst he battles for more first-team football, he appears highly unlikely to appear as Arsenal travel to Portugal due to illness.
He is expected to join Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah on the sidelines ahead of the trip to Lisbon after the duo missed training on Wednesday. Speaking on the side’s fitness issues, Arteta said: "Let’s see how they evolve.
“Obviously we’ve had a few issues in the last few days and I am trying to accommodate everybody and get everyone in the best possible condition for tomorrow."
In better news, Gabriel Jesus could potentially make his return to contention having taken a full part in Arsenal training ahead of the game. The Brazilian has been out since suffering a knee injury at the World Cup although Arteta stopped short of confirming whether he was part of the travelling contingent.
