Former Celtic defender Kieran Tierney has been named in the Arsenal starting 11 for the first time in 19 months for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup quarter-final match at the Emirates tonight against Crystal Palace.
Tierney last featured for Mikel Arteta’s side against Manchester City in the Community Shield in August 2023, in a 4-1 win on penalties.
The former Celtic left back has only recently fully recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered against Switzerland for Scotland in Euro 2024 in June.
With Arsenal in the middle of a defensive injury crisis, it has opened the door for a return to the team for Tierney, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, making 20 La Liga appearances.
In recent months, he has been linked with a return to Celtic after falling out of favour at Arsenal. [TBR Football]
Kieran Tierney Brendan Rodgers
Soccer Football – Europa League – Celtic Training – Lennoxtown Training Centre, Glasgow, Britain – November 7, 2018 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney during training Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
However, a start tonight will come as a surprise to some, given how he has fallen out of the team in recent seasons after a great start to his career in London.
The signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko in July 2022 hugely limited his game time at the Emirates, with Arteta favoring the Ukrainian, who he had previously worked with at Manchester City, over Tierney.
Tierney’s Arsenal contract is set to expire in the summer, and he will be free to negotiate pre-contract deals in January.
With Celtic continually linked, it would be a welcome homecoming for much of the Hoops support.
However, his poor injury record in recent years has led some to question how often he would play if he were to join Celtic, given his consistent struggles with injuries.
Related