Mikel Arteta provides very encouraging update on Arsenal star

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Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal’s official website that Kieran Tierney will be fit and available for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane – despite limping off during the win over Southampton.

Tierney, 23, was in very strong form in what was only his 14th appearance for the Gunners since £25million (BBC) move from Scottish champions Celtic last summer. Multiple injuries have prevented Tierney from more.

The Gunners picked up their first points since the return to football, after defeats to Manchester City and Brighton. Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock were on the score sheet as the Gunners beat Southampton 2-0.

But Tierney limped off the pitch with 20 minutes left with what looked like cramp – unsurprising, given Tierney’s lack of consistent game time. Arteta spoke after the match about Tierney’s injury, and he stated it was only cramp.

“Kieran was cramping,” Arteta said. “He hasn’t played two games together in the last seven or eight months and he was suffering. The weather is different to Scotland and he needs to adapt to it.”

TBR’s view – Is Tierney finally proving Arsenal transfer fee?

It has been a difficult start to life in north London for Tierney. But his efforts against Southampton as the left side of a back three made the Gunners look completely solid, limiting Southampton to half chances.

With Bukayo Saka best as a left wing-back, the performance and change in formation to a three-man defence for Arsenal might just be a tactical masterpiece by Arteta. It might just get the best out of the Gunners going forward.