TIER WE GO Kieran calling the shots
TOTTENHAM v ARSENAL
KIERAN TIERNEY has gone from expensive crock to essential cog in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal revolution.
Before lockdown, Gunners fans had seen only fleeting glimpses of their £25million buy from Celtic as a succession of injury problems savaged his debut campaign south of the border.
Tierney, 23 last month, has since admitted he felt under serious pressure to start delivering post-coronavirus – or face being bombed out by new boss Arteta barely a year after his muchheralded arrival.
But that was then. Now, following a string of impressive displays upon the resumption of the season, the Scotland left-back is suddenly an automatic pick under the Spanish coach.
And Arteta has issued a clear handsoff message to the likes of Leicester City with regards to making any bid for Tierney in the next transfer window.
Ahead of today’s North London derby at Tottenham, the Arsenal chief declared: “Kieran is not going anywhere! I really like him.
”I’ve been very impressed with him since I joined – how he was acting and working on his rehab.
“And, then, with his performances, I’m delighted. He’s adapted really well. He’s a player that gives you everything in every game – and he’s adding quality.
“Everybody loves him at the club and that’s not a coincidence.
“He earns that every single day by the way he treats people, the way he works, the way he brings energy to the place.
“He is still so young – there are still things to improve, obviously – but he’s been a great addition to our team.”
Having lifted trophies galore at Celtic, Tierney, who was recovering from a double hernia when he joined last July, has faced the opposite scenario at Arsenal amid their battle to regain a place among the English elite.
All of which meant he initially struggled, according to Arteta.
The ex-manchester City assistant manager went on: “Yes, he had a really difficult period.
“Because of the injuries, because he moved to a different city, and a different context that he had in Glasgow, with a club that was winning all the time and where he was very settled.
“It was a challenge. He’s been dealing with that in the best way. He needed the club to support him, he needed his team-mates to make life easier.
“We’re all trying to help. That’s a pleasure because of how willing he is to work, improve and give his maximum – all the time.”
So can Tierney, who also dislocated a shoulder against West Ham in December, have the same sort of impact on the Gunners as fellow Scottish leftback Andy Robertson has had at champions Liverpool?
Arteta reckons the early signs are promising.
“He’s a key player for us,” added the
MIKEL
ARTETA has told
Arsenal teenage sensation
Bukayo Saka to ‘enjoy’ the thrills of success – but to be prepared for a few spills too. Armed with a new longterm deal, Saka, 18, has been in brilliant form since the season resumed. As the hype surrounding him grows, Arsenal boss Arteta believes the youngster should revel in the attention, while being aware of the pitfalls of sudden superstar status. Asked how best to handle the situation, the Spaniard said: “You are doing so well, so enjoy it. But then understand, this changes in 24, 48 hours. You have to live on your toes and be ready to
react and act.” ex-arsenal, Rangers and Everton playmaker. ”I don’t like to compare situations as they’re two different players at two different clubs.
“It’s stages and processes. Robertson, the player he is now, is not the player he was three or four years ago. Kieran’s on the right path.”