'They're so pushy’: Arteta hints he won't be starting two Arsenal players as often this season

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu won’t start as often this season.

The Gunners boss was speaking at his press conference ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener at Crystal Palace.

Tierney and Tomiyasu both missed large periods of last season due to injury issues.

The Scotland international faced a setback in his recovery from a knee injury sustained back in April during the Gunners’ first pre-season friendly against Nurnberg.

He returned to first-team training last week and was pictured taking part in a post-match recovery session following the 6-0 win over Sevilla.

Likewise, Tomiyasu – who had a long-term calf injury last season – is continuing his recovery ahead of the Palace game.

“Sometimes we had to rush them”

Both players are doubts for Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Selhurst Park.

“Three out of four of those players [Tomiyasu, Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira] are going to be training this afternoon,” the Gunners boss told the club media team.

“And if everything goes well, they will be available for selection and in the squad.”

Arteta then spoke specifically about Tierney and Tomiyasu’s injuries.

He suggested their problems last season were due to Arsenal rushing them back.

“Hopefully not [long-term injuries],” said Arteta.

“The reason they got those persistent injuries are for different reasons, probably because the squad didn’t enable them to recover.

“And [we] don’t play them when it was necessary and it was too tired when they weren’t fully recovered so sometimes we had to rush them.

“It was a combination of things with those two players, they’re so pushy and willing to contribute with the team.

“We know that with those two fit and performing at their best, we are much stronger as a team.”