Kieran Tierney made his final appearance at the Emirates as an Arsenal player on Sunday night, receiving a heartfelt ovation from the home support during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Brought on in the dying minutes of the match, Tierney was met with a rapturous round of applause and chants from the Arsenal faithful, marking a rare moment in modern football—where a player, already committed to another club, is celebrated instead of shunned. The match itself was Arsenal’s penultimate fixture of the season, and the win confirmed their second-place finish in the Premier League.
Tierney’s return to the pitch, even briefly, was an unexpected but welcome moment. Having signed a pre-contract agreement to rejoin Celtic this summer, many would have expected the 26-year-old to be kept out of the squad for the remainder of the campaign. Instead, Mikel Arteta handed him a final cameo, and the reception suggested the decision resonated with the support.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Arsenal v Brentford – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – April 12, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
It’s a reflection of Tierney’s professionalism throughout his time in North London. Despite a season where he found minutes hard to come by and often found himself out of favour, the former Celtic man never caused disruption or aired grievances publicly. His conduct, from start to finish, was seen by many Arsenal fans as exemplary, especially under a manager some believe gave him a rough ride.
Tierney leaves Arsenal having made over 120 appearances for the club since his move from Celtic in 2019. His return to Glasgow marks a significant moment for the Scottish champions, with the left-back set to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ defensive options next season.
Tees for Tims - Jota Celtic