Tierney asked to miss Scotland call

Unai Emery has asked Kieran Tierney not to link up with the Scotland squad next week to benefit his comeback from injury at Arsenal.

The 22-year-old made his Gunners debut in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest, having joined from Celtic in the summer.

A niggling groin problem meant the leftback could not come straight into the Arsenal side but, after making his bow, Tierney then missed out on the squad for Monday’s draw at Manchester United.

Emery insists there is no new injury and said he wants Tierney – who is set to start tonight’s Europa League clash with Standard Liege – to remain at the club’s London Colney training base over the international fixtures, rather than risk a setback if he were to join up with Steve Clarke’s Scotland.

Asked if he had spoken to Clarke about the situation, Emery replied: “No, I asked Kieran yesterday because we are waiting first for him to be with us consistently playing and after his injuries each step is important.

“For example, he didn’t play in Manchester because he had some small problem, not important, but the doctor told us it is better to be here working alone and preparing for tomorrow’s match and if we here are with him taking precaution, it is also important for the national team.

“We are thinking it is not the moment to work with them (Scotland) for the next matches.”

Paul Pogba has not travelled for Manchester United’s clash with AZ Alkmaar following specialist advice about a foot injury and concerns over “one of the worst” plastic pitches boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen.

United continue their Group L campaign in The Hague this evening, when the France World Cup winner will be among a number of high-profile absentees, with Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Aaron Wanbissaka and Phil Jones all absent from the trip.

Wolves are in Turkey for a Group K clash with Beisktas.

Kieran Tierney: likely to start tonight.