Arteta hopeful over Tierney’s return after Covid self-isolation

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to have Kieran Tierney available for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City as talks over his need to self-isolate continue.

Tierney, as well as compatriot Ryan Christie, were told to quarantine for 14 days after Scotland team-mate Stuart Armstrong tested positive for Covid- 19 while on international duty.

Both Tierney and Christie had negative tests and have insisted they obeyed social-distancing guidelines.

But the Lothian Health Protection Team identified the two players – and two members of the Scotland backroom staff – as close contacts of Armstrong.

Tierney missed Scotland’s three fixtures and told Arsenal’s website he was “so disappointed and frustrated to be in this situation”.

But, as talks remain ongoing to release Tierney from his period of self-isolation, Arteta is hopeful the full-back can feature at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

“We are still having some discussions with the authorities ,” the Arsenal boss said. “This is getting very complicated when you are sending players abroad and obviously you lose control.

“Some authorities have different regulations to the actual ones in the Premier League.”

The number of positive C ovid -19 tests has increased during the international break, with the Republic of Ireland squad hit by a number of enforced withdrawals while Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was also a confirmed coronavirus case.

Her th a Berlin also revealed Matteo Guendouzi, a deadline day loan signing from Arsenal, is in selfisolation having returned from the France Under21s squad and testing positive.

But Arteta believes it is important to keep international fixtures on the calendar, with big tournaments around the corner.

“I think international football has to continue going because there are some competitions that have to happen,” he said.

“They were already delayed last summer and they have to take place because those organisations have to be sustainable and we all understand that.”