Champions League the target for new boy Tierney

Kieran Tierney insists he made the hardest decision of his life to leave Celtic for Arsenal, but is now fully committed to helping the Gunners back into the Champions League as he shuns the bright lights of London.

The 22-year-old left-back had to wait for his Arsenal debut following his summer move as a niggling groin problem left him on the sidelines.

He made his bow in the Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest last week before playing all 90 minutes of the 4-0 Europa League victory at home to Standard Liege on Thursday night.

Tierney was one of many bright sparks for head coach Unai Emery as Gabriel Martinelli hit a three-minute brace before Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos completed the scoring on an easy night for the hosts.

Having won eight major honours during his time at Celtic Park, Tierney is no stranger to silverware and is keen to reach similar heights now he has moved south of the border.

“We have got the potential, we have got the ability,” he replied when asked if Arsenal could break into the top four this season.

“You want to win trophies, every footballer does. But it is one game at a time for me. I am just here, I have played two games and one 90 minutes. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

“I think the club is a massive club and it deserves to be in the Champions League. We know the ambitions and the aims of the club and supporters. We are all in it together and hopefully we can do that.

“It was a great feeling for me, but it was the hardest decision of my life as well to leave the club I had been at for 15 years. But as I say, I am delighted to be here.”

It remains to be seen if he will be handed his Premier League debut when Bournemouth visit the Emirates Stadium tomorrow afternoon as he is gradually phased into the Arsenal side.

Leaders Liverpool today aim to make it eight straight wins in the Premier League this season with a home game against thirdplaced Leicester as Brendan Rodgers returns to Anfield for the first time since being sacked as Reds boss four years ago.

Troubled Tottenham are away to Brighton in the lunchtime kick-off today.

Manchester City host Wolves tomorrow, while Manchester United are at Newcastle and Chelsea visit Southampton.