Kieran Tierney made his return to the pitch for the Arsenal first team on Wednesday after months out, but he gave the fans another injury scare on the night.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal looks on as he sits on the substitutes bench 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 Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Kieran Tierney made a start for Arsenal in their League Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, his first appearance on the pitch since his hamstring injury with Scotland at Euro 2024 in June.
There had been plenty of indications that the left-back was nearing a comeback, given he’d made the bench in Arsenal’s previous six squads. But with all the competition in his position, he had to wait until this week for a chance on the pitch.
For the most part, that return went pretty well. Tierney created a great chance for Raheem Sterling early in the second half, and he put in a positive performance after such a long absence. But he was then forced off in the 69th minute with an apparent injury.
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
The good news is that Mikel Arteta has suggested the problem was nothing serious, saying afterwards that “it was cramp”. After six months out of action, it’s probably not too surprising that Tierney was cramping up.
As for Tierney’s role in the match, largely playing as a winger, Arteta said: “He’s playing to his strengths, that’s something that we have to continue to learn because they give you a lot of information.
“They tell you not sometimes with their words but with a lot of information, where they feel more comfortable and certainly there is a much better fit for him.”
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
With any luck, Tierney will be available again on Saturday, because in all likelihood Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksandr Zinchenko will all be out again.
Lewis-Skelly should be available to start, but Arteta will want Tierney for his bench if possible.
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