Mikel Arteta sent a clear transfer message to Edu Gaspar and the Arsenal board with his team selection against Wolves on the final day of the season. Although there is nothing tangible to play for it represented a chance to sign off from a largely successful and joyful season in style.
In a game that had looked like a potential title decider just four weeks ago, Arsenal had nothing to prove against Julen Lopetegui's Wolves. The backdrop of a great Emirates Stadium crowd and willing supporters, it was a time for thanks and appreciation.
There was no easing off for the match, though. Arteta picked what could easily be coined as his best team. With Thomas Partey filling in at right-back due to a defensive shuffle, it was the same shape that featured against Nottingham Forest with a change from the usual tactics.
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It meant that despite an impressive season at right-back, Ben White was in the centre of defence once more, alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Elsewhere the front line was strong and the midfield was packed. The decision to shake-up the backline could have been largely avoided, however.
With natural left-back Kieran Tierney left on the bench once more, Arteta was putting a message of no confidence in the Scottish international. January signing Jakub Kiwior got the nod instead. He had been used in a more centre-back role since his arrival but has now been shifted.
Due to Artea's insistence on building up with narrow full-backs that also tuck into midfield, Kiwior is better suited to the role but featured rarely against Forest with a severe lack of service on his side. It raised the issue as to what Tierney was doing wrong and why he wasn't preferred. Either way, it doesn't bode well for the 25-year-old.
His contract still has three more years on it but the lack of faith shown in his ability to complete Arteta's instructions is damning heading into the summer. In a window that promises to be busy and exciting for fans, it could mean the end of Tierney's time in north London.
Signed for £23m, injuries have stopped him from truly finding the same consistency and high levels that had made him one of the best young attacking full-backs in the game. As Arteta's style has changed and Tierney's minutes have dropped it now looks more and more likely that he will be moved on.
Arteta couldn't have been much clearer in making a public admission of this and it may just be that he has played his final game for the club.
Tierney got the nod from the start against Brighton and was left to struggle in a damaging 3-0 defeat and has been peripheral ever since. Arteta did appear to accept the mistake he made against Forest as he brought Tierney onto the pitch as an attacking move with half an hour left at the City Ground but it was too little, too late.
There was even less riding on the match with Wolves but the choice to keep him sidelined perhaps says all it needs to.
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