Kieran Tierney could be set for a surprise Arsenal comeback 16 months after his last game, yet Mikel Arteta acknowledges the Scotland full-back isn't cut out for his tactical preferences.
Battling with potential absences of up to seven players against Monaco in Wednesday's Champions League match, Arteta is considering fielding Tierney, who last donned the Arsenal shirt versus Manchester City in the Community Shield back in August 2023.
Despite loaning Tierney out to Real Sociedad last season, Arteta may tweak Arsenal's game plan to shield the 27-year-old from any shortcomings.
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Arteta has praised Tierney's dedication and efforts in training and commented, "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."
Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard before Arsenal's training session on Tuesday.
Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard before Arsenal's training session on Tuesday.
"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, who both started in the draw against Fulham, were absent from training, along with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, and centre-back Gabriel also missed the session, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain 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."