Kieran Tierney’s time at Arsenal is coming to an end, with the club opting not to extend the Scottish left-back’s contract.
Reports from The Athletic and The Telegraph indicate that Tierney could leave as early as January or in the summer of 2025 at the latest, bringing a definitive close to a once-promising chapter in his career at the Emirates as Arsenal let the deadline to trigger an extension pass.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Tierney, 27, joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019 with high expectations, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his tenacity, defensive solidity, and relentless work ethic.
Over his first three seasons, he was a mainstay in the squad, but injuries and tactical shifts under Mikel Arteta gradually limited his role. The emergence of Oleksandr Zinchenko and the use of inverted full-backs in Arteta’s system left Tierney struggling to secure regular minutes.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard of Arsenal make their way out for the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on December 10, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Last season, Tierney sought game time on loan at Real Sociedad, where he impressed in La Liga. Despite showing glimpses of the quality that once made him a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defence, the club’s decision not to activate the option to extend his contract until 2026 signals the end of his north London tenure.
The decision also means Tierney will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January, with Celtic reportedly keen to bring him back to Glasgow.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal pushes Cole Palmer of Manchester City during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Tierney’s Arsenal swansong may already have begun, with the defender making a rare appearance in the Gunners’ 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace. Substituted in the 69th minute, it marked his first minutes in an Arsenal shirt in 20 months.
For Arsenal, the move represents a practical decision, balancing the club’s tactical evolution and financial considerations. Allowing Tierney to leave either in January or at the end of the season avoids prolonged uncertainty and opens up opportunities for both parties.
For Tierney, it offers the chance to find a team where his attributes are more highly valued, whether in the Premier League, abroad, or at Celtic, where his career first flourished.
As Tierney prepares to bid farewell to the Emirates, Arsenal fans will remember him fondly as a player who gave everything for the badge, even if circumstances curtailed his full potential under Arteta.
Related Posts