Midway through his loan at Real Sociedad, Kieran Tierney has made it clear that he will not be going back to Arsenal. Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced the Scotland international as the team’s primary left-back at the Emirates, therefore the Scotland international was loaned to Spain for a season. Because of the capable cover offered by Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tierney would have had difficulty getting into the game this season.
Zinchenko appears to be having calf issues, but the Japan international is going to be travelling with his country for the AFC Asian Cup. In light of these concerns, the Gunners may decide to bring Tierney back to cover for him at left back.
However, Kieran Tierney refuted rumours that she might return to north London in January, telling the Daily Record (via Arseblog). He said, “Several people have already asked me if I was going to return to Arsenal now and the answer is no. I’m going to stay here for sure. As for staying here longer, the decision is not mine. But the only thing I can say is that I love playing for Real [Sociedad]. And I’m enjoying it very much.”
This season, the 26-year-old defender battled a hamstring issue that kept him out of nine games. But since then, he has made 12 appearances for the La Liga team in a variety of games and has picked up one assist.
During the summer of 2019, he signed a contract for reportedly €27 million to join Arsenal. Tierney has played 124 games with the Gunners since then, scoring five goals and providing 14 assists.
“I think he struggles in a one v one situation” : Oleksandr Zinchenko
Micky Grey has stated that he has doubts regarding Oleksandr Zinchenko. Many have questioned the Ukraine international’s defending abilities in recent weeks. In the 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Zinchenko was criticised for his shoddy one-on-one defence, which allowed Mohamed Salah to equalise. TalkSPORT reported that Grey addressed the defender’s performance during The Sunday Session.
He said, “I’ve got to be honest with you, and I’ve seen him not just this game and it was a huge game, I think he might cost Arsenal the Premier League. I think he struggles in a one v one situation because I think he has a lack of pace.”
