Arteta for the first time confirms on whether Kieran Tierney will be sold by Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has finally addressed the future of Kieran Tierney at the club, following speculation about his role in the team. The 25-year-old left-back made only six starts in the Premier League last season, as Arteta preferred Oleksandr Zinchenko in that position. Tierney was also left out of the starting eleven in Arsenal’s season opener against Nottingham Forest, which raised questions about his place in Arteta’s plans.

However, Arteta has now openly commented on Tierney’s future at the club, stating that he sees him as part of his plans. When asked if Tierney is part of his plans, Arteta responded, “He played the [Community Shield] final, no? A player that plays five days before in the final is part of the plans, for sure. I hope so [he is disappointed to be left out of league squad].”

This statement from Arteta suggests that Tierney’s absence from the starting lineup against Nottingham Forest was not an indication of his future at Arsenal. The fact that he played in the Community Shield final just days before shows that he is indeed a part of Arteta’s plans for the upcoming season.

It is worth noting that Tierney’s limited game time last season could be attributed to injuries and competition for his position. He suffered a shoulder injury early on in his Arsenal career, which kept him out for a significant period. Additionally, Zinchenko’s impressive performances may have influenced Arteta’s decision to give him more playing time.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

However, with Tierney now fully fit and ready to contribute to the team, it seems likely that he will feature more prominently this season. His inclusion in the Community Shield final demonstrates Arteta’s trust in him and suggests that he will be given opportunities to prove himself on a regular basis.

Tierney himself may have been disappointed by his omission from the starting lineup against Nottingham Forest, but Arteta’s comments indicate that he still has a significant role to play at the club. The competition for places in the team is fierce, and Arteta will have to make difficult decisions regarding his starting lineup for each game. However, Tierney’s talent and potential make him a valuable asset for Arsenal, and it is expected that he will be given ample opportunities to showcase his abilities.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Tierney’s role at Arsenal evolves under Arteta’s guidance. With his determination and work ethic, coupled with Arteta’s faith in him, there is no doubt that Tierney has the potential to become an integral part of Arsenal’s success in the future.