An Arsenal outcast could be in line for a shock return in the Champions League despite Mikel Arteta having doubts on how he fits into his system
10:23, 11 Dec 2024Updated 10:25, 11 Dec 2024
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is having to deal with various defensive injuries(Image: Getty Images)
Kieren Tierney could be set for a stunner of a comeback for Arsenal after 16 months off the pitch.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has his reservations, highlighting that Tierney's strengths don't quite gel with his tactical blueprint. With a squad stretched thin by injuries, the Spanish boss is up against it as the Gunners square off with Monaco in tonight's Champions League face-off.
This would mean Arteta would have to thrust Tierney back into the fray for the first time since his Community Shield clash against Manchester City back in August 2023. The Scot has since been on the sidelines on loan at Real Sociedad, but returned to Arsenal over the summer after picking a hamstring injury at Euro 2024 and made a return to training at the end of November.
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Arteta praised the defender's determination and graft on the training ground, stating: "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."
Tierney joined Arsenal in 2019 for a reported £25m
Tierney joined Arsenal in 2019 for a reported £25m(Image: Getty Images)
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"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."
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Arteta looks to be facing a defensive headache as Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, both thrown in at full-back for the stalemate at Fulham, failed to show for training yesterday. The injury list looks grim with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, and centre back Gabriel also no-shows, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still out nursing knee injuries.
Arteta voiced his concerns, admitting: "We have to manage a lot of players. 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."