Arsenal new-boy Kieran Tierney is aiming to return to full training in October

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Summer signing Kieran Tierney is aiming to be in training with Arsenal in October, according to the club’s official website.

The club offered an injury update ahead of the first home Premier League game of the season against Burnley this Saturday.

And Tierney, who made his move down from Celtic with a groin injury “continues to receive treatment and further assessments and is aiming to participate in full training in October.”

It’s a mark of how highly Arsenal valued Tierney that they were willing to spend the money to get the deal done even while he had an injury and wasn’t able to do any pre-season work.

But he’s a player who can lock down that left back slot for the next eight to ten years, so it does make sense to look beyond the short term, as frustrating as it is now.

TBR’s View – Arsenal won’t hit top gear until both their first-choice full backs come back

Liverpool and Manchester City have shown what a difference elite, rapid full backs can make to a team in the Premier League and Tierney, as well as Hector Bellerin when he returns from injury, should make a real impact.

Both players are at the right age to improve, with the speed and energy to get up and down the pitch in a way that Arsenal need if they are to play the high tempo game Unai Emery wants.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac – current off-field issues not withstanding – are just not at the same level.