Kieran Tierney is set to make his first Arsenal appearance for 16 months, but it's a case of needs must for Mikel Arteta rather than the defender being back in his long-term plans.
The Scotland star has been ruled out so far this season due to a hamstring injury picked up during Euro 2024. But he was shipped out on loan to Real Sociedad last season after falling well down the Gunners pecking order. He sampled Champions League action with the Basque outfit, and could get another taste when Arsenal take on Monaco on Wednesday night.
Arteta could be without up to seven players for the clash against the Ligue 1 side. That could see Tierney drafted in, but the Spaniard hinted that the former Celtic favourite just doesn't have what he's looking for, and that he may have to tweak his tactics if Tierney does play to make the 27-year-old "more comfortable".
“I would put Kieran more in his strengths," said Arteta. "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.
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“It is about the player having certain qualities … but if a player doesn’t really fill it, it is more of a problem and we as coaches 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.”
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 added. “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.”