Mikel Arteta is without a host of defensive stars for Arsenal's game against Monaco.
Mikel Arteta is without a host of defensive stars for Arsenal's game against Monaco.
Kieran Tierney is in line for a shock Arsenal recall 16 months after his last appearance for the club.
But manager Mikel Arteta admits the Scotland full back does not have the right make-up for his preferred approach.
Arteta could be without up to seven players against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday tonight, leading to a possible return for Tierney having most recently appeared in red and white against Manchester City in the Community Shield of August 2023.
And that might lead to Arsenal tweaking their tactics so the 27-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, is not found out.
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Arteta hailed Tierney’s commitment and work in training but said: “I would put Kieran more in his strengths. If we do what we have to do I would play him in positions, especially in attack, in situations and scenarios and spaces that he is more comfortable with.
"It is about the player having certain qualities. First is he willing to do it? Does he want to do it, yes or no? The other one: is he capable of doing it and does he understand it? When a player has those three ingredients anything can happen.
"We see that with many other players. But if a player doesn’t really fill it, it is more of a problem and we as coaches we have to find solutions.
“We will adapt, especially we have the ability within that unit to adapt his qualities and of others to play in different positions. I don’t see it as a problem.”
Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard before Arsenal's training session on Tuesday.
Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard before Arsenal's training session on Tuesday.
Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber started at full back in Sunday’s draw at Fulham but both missed yesterday’s training session.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori and centre back Gabriel were also absent, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined with knee injuries.
"We have to manage a lot of players,” Arteta said. “Some of them won't be fit for tomorrow, some of them are still doubts. We have 24 hours to make those decisions. Hopefully we make the right ones.”
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