Zinchenko tearfully announced during a press conference that a key Arsenal player, not Saka or Martinelli, will be leaving by January, expressing that the team would struggle without him.

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, once a crucial player for the team, now finds himself on the fringes of Mikel Arteta’s plans and is expected to leave the club during the upcoming January transfer window. This news comes after what has been a difficult period for the Scottish international, who has struggled with injuries and lack of game time.

Tierney, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, had been expected to move on during the summer transfer window. However, a serious hamstring injury he sustained while playing for Scotland in their Euro 2024 group stage match against Switzerland derailed those plans. The injury, which ended his tournament, also meant that any potential transfer was put on hold. Though Tierney has since recovered, he has not been included in Arsenal’s matchday squad this season, leading to speculation that he is no longer considered part of Arteta’s vision for the future.

According to well-known Arsenal journalist Charles Watts, there is no ill will between Tierney and the club, but the 27-year-old left-back no longer fits into Arsenal’s current tactical system. In an interview with *CaughtOffside*, Watts explained that Arteta has moved on from Tierney, whose skill set as a traditional left-back doesn’t align with the demands of the team’s current style of play. Despite this, Tierney has continued to work hard in training, hoping to regain full fitness after his hamstring injury.

Watts added that if Tierney hadn’t been injured, he likely would have already secured a move away from Arsenal in the summer. As things stand, the defender is expected to seek a loan move in January to gain valuable playing time before aiming for a permanent transfer next summer.

The news of Tierney’s imminent departure has struck a chord with many Arsenal fans, who have fond memories of the player’s contributions during some of the club’s tougher periods. He has remained a fan favorite throughout his time at Arsenal, known for his grit, determination, and professionalism, even when plagued by injuries. However, some supporters feel that Tierney has been treated unfairly, particularly in light of his importance to the team in the past. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) expressed frustration, saying it felt disrespectful for a player who was once Arsenal’s best to be sidelined in this way.

Despite the sympathy from fans, it appears that Tierney’s time at Arsenal is nearing its end, with a January exit looking more and more likely as the window approaches.

Kieran Tierney’s situation at Arsenal reflects the challenges players face when a club’s tactical direction evolves, and their skill set no longer aligns with the manager’s plans. Tierney, once a key figure in Arsenal’s defense, has struggled with injuries and form, which has led to his diminishing role under Mikel Arteta. His traditional style as a full-back doesn’t quite fit Arteta’s modern system that emphasizes versatility and positional fluidity in defense.

While Tierney’s hamstring injury during Euro 2024 postponed a summer move, it seems inevitable that he will seek an exit in the January transfer window. His hard work in training and positive relationship with the club demonstrate his professionalism, but it’s clear from reports like those of Charles Watts that his future lies elsewhere. Arsenal fans, many of whom still hold him in high regard, may see this as the end of an era for the determined and reliable defender.

Tierney’s expected loan move in January should help him regain form and secure a permanent transfer next summer, marking the end of his Arsenal chapter after a period marked by significant contributions, especially during challenging times for the club.