BREAKING NEWS: Mikel Arteta has announced a difficult decision, apologizing to Arsenal fans, as he stated that he can no longer rely on injury-prone players. He confirmed that a £50m player has officially been removed from the squad, with plans for the player’s sale by January. Arteta clarified that the player in question is not Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jurrien Timber.
Mikel Arteta has made the tough decision to remove Kieran Tierney from his squad, stating that he cannot continue to work with injury-prone players. This decision follows Tierney’s ongoing recovery from a severe hamstring injury sustained during the Euros while representing Scotland.
The injury halted what might have been a transfer to another club, as a move had been in the plans after his loan spell at Real Sociedad last season.
Despite his recovery, Tierney is no longer part of Arteta’s long-term plans, a reality that both the player and the club have accepted. There is no bitterness between the two parties, as Tierney understands that Arsenal has moved on and that his skillset as a left-back does not fit with the tactical system Arteta employs.
Although Tierney is officially part of Arsenal’s Premier League squad for the current season, it seems unlikely that he will see much game time once he regains full fitness.
Looking ahead to January, Tierney is likely to pursue a move away from North London, possibly through a loan deal that would allow him to get some playing time elsewhere. By next summer, he will aim to secure a permanent transfer.
Several clubs have shown interest in Tierney, according to a report from CaughtOffside, with teams from both England and Spain considering him as a potential signing.
However, no deal materialized over the summer, likely due to his injury. It is believed that an offer in the range of £25 million to £30 million would be sufficient for Arsenal to part ways with the left-back.
Tierney joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019 and has made 124 appearances for the club. During his loan at Real Sociedad last season, he played 26 games. His time at Arsenal now seems to be drawing to a close, with the club preparing to move forward without him as they continue to evolve under Arteta’s leadership. Tierney, meanwhile, will be hoping for a fresh start with a new club in the near future.
Mikel Arteta’s decision to exclude Kieran Tierney from his long-term plans is a difficult but pragmatic move for Arsenal. Tierney, who has been struggling with recurring injuries, including a severe hamstring injury during the Euros, finds himself sidelined despite being part of Arsenal’s squad. His recovery has further delayed a potential summer transfer following his loan spell at Real Sociedad.
While there is mutual understanding between Tierney and the club, it’s clear that his profile as a left-back no longer aligns with Arteta’s tactical approach. Tierney is expected to seek more playing time in January, possibly via a loan deal, with hopes of a permanent move next summer. Arsenal would likely accept an offer in the £25-30 million range, which could attract interest from clubs in both England and Spain.
Since joining Arsenal from Celtic in 2019, Tierney has made 124 appearances and contributed significantly during his time on loan at Real Sociedad. As Arsenal continues to evolve under Arteta, Tierney’s chapter at the club appears to be nearing its conclusion, with both parties looking ahead to new opportunities.