BRAWLIN’ Tierney’s been tearing it up since the restart says Mikel SAKA GETS AN ART LESSON
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 ravaged his debut campaign in England.
Tierney has since admitted he felt under serious pressure to start delivering post-Covid – or face being bombed out by new boss Arteta barely a year after his much-heralded arrival at The Emirates.
But that was then. Now, after a string of impressive displays following the resumption, the Scotland left-back is suddenly an automatic pick under the Spanish coach.
And Arteta has issued a clear hands-off message to Leicester about making any bid for Tierney, 23, in the coming transfer window.
Ahead of today’s derby at Spurs, the Arsenal chief said: “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 no coincidence.
“He earns it 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 but he’s been a great addition.”
Having lifted trophies galore at Celtic, Tierney – who was recovering from a double hernia when he joined last July – has faced the opposite situation as the Gunners battle to regain a place in the English elite. All of which meant the defender initially struggled, according to Arteta.
The former Manchester City assistant manager added: “Yes, he had a really difficult period.
“Because of the injuries, because he had 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 and he’s been dealing with that in the best possible 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, to improve and to 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 left-back Andy Robertson has had at champions Liverpool?
Arteta reckons the early signs are promising.
He said: “He’s a key player for us. I don’t like to compare situations as they are 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.”
As he prepares for his first North London derby in the dugout, Arteta insists he has no fears about throwing his young Gunners into battle.
“You need the right mix. Young players make mistakes but sometimes experienced players make a lot of mistakes as well,” he said.
“It’s about how mature you are and being ready to face any scenario possible in a game.
“You put players on the pitch that you believe are more prepared to handle that
situation.”
MIKEL ARTETA has ordered Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka to “enjoy” the thrills of success – but be prepared for a few spills too.
Saka (left) has been in brilliant form since the season resumed.
Armed with a new long-term deal the Gunners playmaker, 18, has been creating and scoring goals in equal measure.
And, as the hype surrounding Saka continues to grow, boss Arteta believes he should revel in the attention while being aware of the pitfalls of sudden superstar status.
The Spaniard said: “Football has some really good moments and some difficult moments.
“You are doing so well so enjoy it. But then understand this changes in 24, 48 hours. You have to live on your toes all the time and be ready to react and act.
“Bukayo is like this. Every training session he doesn’t give any sign that there’s something different. We’re here to support him, to make him better – and that’s it. Enjoy!”