‘I’m on course’: Injured Arsenal player could be back for start of pre-season in major boost for Arteta

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Arsenal and Scotland defender Kieran Tierney says he is on course to be fit for the start of pre-season training.

Tierney picked up an leg injury which kept him out of the business end of the season as well as his country’s bid to make the World Cup.

He has done an interview with the Scottish Sun where he said he is targeting getting fit for the end of June and that is going to plan now.

Tierney fit for Arsenal pre-season

He said: “The verdict was 12 weeks.

“Instantly, I just wanted to know from the specialist and the physios what it was going to take to get back quickly. Whenever I have been given a timeframe for recovery I’ve always aimed to get back earlier.

“I push myself as hard as I can, it’s the only way I know. It’s tough working full days in the gym on your own. But you’ve got to keep on pushing yourself. There’s no point feeling sorry for yourself. I don’t look for or expect sympathy from anyone. At the end of the day I’m lucky to be a footballer — and I never take anything for granted.

“I’m a nightmare for the physios. I’m always on at them to get me back quicker. And I’m a terrible spectator. Not being able to do anything to help the team, I hate it. My target is to be back for the end of June and the start of pre-season at Arsenal. I’m on course for that. My rehab’s going well.”

Arsenal badly missed Tierney when he was out and his fitness record is a frustrating for Mikel Arteta, who needs his best players on the pitch as often as possible.

Getting him fit during pre-season would be a boost and if he could get through the next campaign injury free, it would make a huge difference.

Meanwhile, he is hoping his Scotland teammates can do the business without him and get to the World Cup, where they would face England in the group stage if they qualify.