Freddie Ljungberg makes exciting prediction about Arsenal star Kieran Tierney

By Will Butcher

Freddie Ljungberg has told The Ornstein & Chapman podcast that he expects Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney to become a “great” player for the Gunners in years to come – and commented on the incident against Leeds.

Tierney, 23, has become a fan favourite at Arsenal despite playing just 38 times in all competitions for the north London side since his move from Celtic in the summer of 2019. Many fans have noticed his leadership qualities.

So much so, that some think the £80k-a-week (Spotrac) Scot should be considered as the club’s captain. On the flip side, Arsenal are really struggling at the moment – with a lack of form seeing Arsenal slip into a lowly 14th position.

Ljungberg, who worked with Tierney during the interim phase between the transition from Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, states the ex-Celtic man has a winning mentality and made an exciting prediction about his time at Arsenal.

“I see it [winning mentality] in some,” Ljungberg said. “Tierney is going to be great for the club. He has definitely got that winning edge. You can see it, you saw it against Leeds after the full-time whistle. I couldn’t say too much on TV.”

 (Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images)

TBR’s view – Could Tierney become a future captain at Arsenal?

Certainly, the left-back has age on his side – and the winning mentality that would not go amiss with the Invincibles side that boasted so many leaders, including Patrick Vieira, David Seaman, Sol Campbell, Martin Keown and others.

Right now, it is the complete opposite. Current captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hardly has captain-like instincts. Hector Bellerin, Gabriel and Tierney do – but Aubameyang is likely to retain the armband until his exit.

Tierney, though, by that time may have 100 or more appearances to his name at Arsenal – certainly, he will pass 50 this season. If he continues to show his passion and grit this season, Tierney will become Gunners skipper.

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)