Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Kieran Tierney will still play an important role for Arsenal in their Premier League title push despite his limited minutes this season. Following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer, Tierney has played just 516 league minutes, which includes just four starts, since August 2022.
Arsenal's Europa League campaign has been kind to Tierney though after he started all six group matches. However, the Scotsman missed out on a role in the last-16 defeat to Sporting CP through injury. In Arsenal's last three Premier League victories, Tierney has made brief cameo appearances and is likely chomping at the bit for a starting opportunity.
Unfortunately for Tierney, if Zinchenko is fit and available he will likely be the first choice no matter what. The Ukrainian's versatility to play an inverted role is of paramount importance to Arteta and how he likes to set up his Arsenal team.
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Zinchenko has faced spells out of the team which included missing the reverse fixture against Arsenal's weekend opponents Liverpool. However, Takehiro Tomiyasu was preferred to Tierney at left-back and the Japanese international successfully nullified the Reds' major threat out wide.
Tomiyasu has been ruled out with injury for the season though, and if Arteta was to revert back to a flat back four at Anfield, Tierney would be the likely inclusion.
Despite this possibility, the Spaniard is unlikely to change his starting XI where he doesn't need to, but ex-Celtic boss Lennon has predicted that Tierney will still have an impact for Arsenal in the coming months, tipping him for a key role in the clash at Etihad Stadium.
"I think he 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," Lennon told Old Firm Derby betting, via Metro.
"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."
The 25-year-old's future is up for considerable debate with Newcastle eyeing a summer swoop for the full-back. Arteta has previously insisted that Tierney has responded admirably to playing a limited role this season, but he is unlikely to accept that for a second consecutive season following more impressive displays on international duty with Scotland.
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