Mikel Arteta names the ‘incredible’ player he can’t wait to work with at Arsenal

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has spoken of his eagerness to work with Kieran Tierney when he’s able to play again for the Gunners, in conversation with Ian Wright.

The left-back joined Arsenal last summer from Celtic in a reported £25million deal, arriving at the Emirates Stadium to much fanfare given his heroics for the Scottish Premiership team.

However, Tierney – who was nursing a hip problem when he joined the Gunners – has made just 12 senior appearances since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium.

After a taste of first-team action in the closing months of 2019, the 22-year-old picked up a shoulder injury midway through December which has kept him out of action since.

Tierney is yet to feature under Arteta but the boss has been impressed by the player’s professionalism during his absence and believes the defender can become “special” at Arsenal.

“I totally agree with you,” the Spaniard said when Wright suggested that Tierney will be magnificent. “I’m looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to play. His attitude and commitment is incredible. I think he’s going to bring something special to us. It’s been a shame but it’s part of his development.

“I have challenged him and said ‘Kieran, how are you going to react to that?’ You cannot feel sorry for yourself, this happened, okay, the level of pressure now is a little bit higher, you have to deal with it. You’re playing with a top club, top expectations – deal with it. You have everything to be successful here, you have the best possible attitude that I have known from a player,”

TBR View:

Tierney has had a tough time this season due to circumstances out of his control, but his heroics for Celtic cannot be forgotten – he is a major talent and has plenty of years ahead of him.

The 22-year-old will surely prove his credentials for the Gunners when he can get a consistent run of games together next season, plus he’s a strong one-on-one defender too.

Arsenal have had some defensive issues this season but, whenever next season begins, there is plenty to be excited about regarding what Tierney can do.