Unlike Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta took the chance to rotate several of his Arsenal players in their EFL Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s visitors named a full strength eleven, one that may be almost identical to the one they’ll face at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Arteta chose to make seven alterations with only David Raya, Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino keeping their starting spots.
Perhaps the highlights of those changes were starts for both Kieran Tierney and Raheem Sterling, who haven’t been playing for different reasons.
Arteta has seemingly lost faith in Sterling, and whilst that also may have been true of Tierney in the past, the Arsenal manager has needed to turn to the Scot amid an injury crisis.
Kieran Tierney proved that he’s still capable of helping Arsenal
Signed for £25m back in 2021, many felt as if Tierney’s days in north London were over.
However, the 27-year-old rolled back the years to deliver a vintage performance against Palace under the Emirates lights.
Kieran Tierney of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on D...
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
READ MORE: Arsenal hand trial to Wolves academy prodigy who’s a ‘good crosser of the ball’
Tierney lasted 68 minutes or so before he seemingly needed to be replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly owing to fatigue.
But whilst he was on the pitch, Tierney showed both Arsenal and any interested clubs in signing him in the future, that he still has a ton to offer.
Tierney’s Arsenal career essentially came to a halt because Arteta wanted him to learn an inverted role, something that didn’t suit his skillset.
However, when allowed to overlap Leandro Trossard and ping balls into the box against Palace, Tierney was excellent.
Admittedly, his passing in general play was rusty at times, but he even looked more assured than some of the defenders around him, particularly in the first half.
Jakub Kiwior struggles to take Crystal Palace opportunity
In truth, if there was someone who looked like they were returning from a long time without playing on Wednesday evening, it was Jakub Kiwior.
Tierney gave a really a good account of himself playing in front of Arteta in the second half, a player the manager must have a lot of admiration for.
One Arsenal player is struggling in training right now – he’s not impressing those at London Colney.
But the same could never be said of Tierney, a player who is an exemplary professional.
An excellent night for the Gunners, who even managed to survive a brilliant Eddie Nketiah finish late on.
Related Posts