Neville couldn't fathom what was being asked of Tierney before quickly honing in on the greater significance
19:02, 09 Mar 2025Updated 19:29, 09 Mar 2025
Kieran Tierney
Sky commentator Gary Neville was left stunned after Kieran Tierney was tasked with providing Arsenal with an attacking jolt against Manchester United.
The Celtic-bound star was asked by Mikel Arteta to play on the left wing in the closing stages of the thrilling 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Neville couldn't fathom what was being asked of Tierney before quickly honing in on the greater significance with former England standout Raheem Sterling left on the bench.
The cameras quickly panned to a stony-faced Sterling as the realisation of his status appeared to dawn on him. The 30-year-old has been reduced to a bit-part role and the decision to call for Tierney appears the clearest indicator his time at the Emirates will end at the expiry of his season-long loan from Chelsea. Tierney made the most of his stint on the pitch, creating two big chances by forcing the hosts back the way.
Speaking post-match, Arteta offered his assessment of the game. He told Sky Sports: "When we had the first half that we had where we were exceptional, we didn't test the keeper. We had some unbelievable situations but we didn't get the last shot or the last pass. We didn't capitalise, we rushed the game, we started to lose duels and we could have ended up losing it."
On struggling to convert their chances, he added: Sometimes that is what is missing. The execution has to be in to the right player and the right player to shoot. How we conceded [chances] in certain moments was not acceptable. They have so much quality and they pick the right player and normally that would end in a goal.
Article continues below
"We opened the gate to lose the game. there was no chance to lose the game and we opened it ourselves. I will defend my players all the time but in those moments we have to do better."