Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney was tipped to make his first start for the Gunners since May 2023 but Mikel Arteta gave 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly the nod instead
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, speaks to the media prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has explained his decision-making process
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Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed why he denied Kieran Tierney his first start for the club in 18 months.
Tierney, 27, returned the Gunners' first-team squad last month, having sustained an injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024 in June. That followed a loan spell with La Liga side Real Sociedad, having been shipped out by Arteta. Amid Arsenal's defensive injury crisis, the Scot was in contention to start Wednesday's Champions League clash with Monaco.
Arteta, though, chose to give teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, who's naturally a midfielder, the nod at left-back. Pre-match, the Arsenal boss was asked about his decision to start 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly and told TNT Sports: "Well, obviously the circumstances (injuries) to be fair and the fact that the kid has done really well for us and he deserves a chance.
"We are all buzzing to see one of our coming out in a big match like this and playing for us."
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Tierney's omission came as a surprise given Arteta's comments during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "He is ready, he's training really well and he's going to have an opportunity for sure," the Spaniard declared.
"The way the team is looking at the moment, he is going to do that for that reason and because he's earned it. The way he's behaved, the way he's been with us because he's willing to do it and when."
Explaining how he'd use Tierney, Arteta added: "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. That's a learning.
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Kieran Tierney started on the bench for Arsenal against Monaco
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Image:
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
"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."
Arteta could look to sign defensive cover in January, adding: "The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we feel that we have the capacity to do that as well. We are on it and just have to assess the situation because it is changing every week. At the moment not for the better, but I’m positive that in a few weeks we’re going to be in a better place."
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