Darren Bent has told talkSPORT he thought Kieran Tierney was fantastic for Arsenal despite the Gunners suffering a defeat to Everton on Monday night.
The Gunners missed the chance to move up to fifth in the Premier League. They conceded twice late on having taken the lead just before half-time through Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal weren’t at their best – but the game really changed after Arteta made a couple of changes. The first saw Tierney replaced by Nuno Tavares with 25 minutes remaining.
Tierney was making his first appearance since mid-October. He had initially suffered an injury but was subsequently kept out of the side with Tavares impressing.
The Scotland international provided the assist for Odegaard with a brilliant cross. And for some, it was notable both of Everton’s goals came following Tierney’s withdrawal. Certainly, a mistake from Tavares and Thomas Partey opened the door for the Toffees to equalise.
Bent suggested Tierney was one player who could his head up high following the defeat. And he questioned Arteta’s decision to replace him.
“Tierney was fantastic last night,” he told talkSPORT. “The balls he was putting in the box, the energy, he was working hard.
“I can understand maybe managing his minutes, I get that. But at some stage, you’ve got to take the leash off and say, ‘just go.’”
Tierney and Tavares displays highlight why Arsenal star has been so important in recent years
Tavares has shown glimpses of how good he could be. It says a lot that the Portuguese has been able to force a debate over who should start at left-back.
But he has also made mistakes. And the performances of Tierney and Tavares on Monday highlighted why the former has been so important for the Gunners in recent years.
Tierney made an excellent return to the side. It would be no surprise if he kept his place for Saturday’s game against Southampton.