Mikel Arteta hints Kieran Tierney could make Arsenal return on Thursday

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Mikel Arteta has suggested that Kieran Tierney could make his return for Arsenal on Thursday as he lauded the left-back for the way he has worked his way back to fitness – in comments reported by Football London.

Tierney has been sidelined since the defeat to Liverpool at the start of the month. And it appeared that it could be some time before he made his return.

Just last week, Arsenal confirmed on their official website that the Scot was targeting a return to training in two to three weeks.

However, it appears that he is set to be back much sooner. Ahead of Thursday’s clash with Villarreal, Arteta suggested that the left-back is in contention.

“He didn’t need the surgery that we were afraid of,” he said, as reported by Football London. “He’s been working like a beast every single day. I don’t know if he’s going to make it tomorrow but he certainly wants to be as close as possible.”

It would be huge for Arsenal to have Tierney back in the coming days.

Granit Xhaka has done a reasonable job in his absence. But Arsenal are heading into one of their most important games of the season.

All of their eggs are now in the Europa League basket. So getting a positive result on Thursday is absolutely vital for the Gunners.

Tierney – who earns £81,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – is, by far, the club’s best left-back. There have been times this season when he was arguably Arsenal’s best player.

So it could make a massive difference if he is ready to face Unai Emery’s men.