London, 7 – 28 – 2023 – Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has put an end to the speculation surrounding his future at the Emirates Stadium, as he has reportedly chosen to remain with the Gunners for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
The 26-year-old has been a part of the Arsenal squad for the past four years, following his £25 million transfer from Celtic in 2019.
In this time, Tierney has made significant contributions with five goals and 14 assists across 123 appearances in all competitions.
Despite his promising start at Arsenal, Tierney has faced numerous challenges, including persistent injuries and limited playing time under the management of Mikel Arteta.
Last season, the left-back found himself playing second fiddle to new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, leading to only 15 starts in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign. Since the turn of the year, Tierney has been named in the starting lineup on just four occasions.
The uncertainty surrounding Tierney’s future was exacerbated by rumors suggesting a potential departure from North London.
Reports indicated that Celtic, under the guidance of manager Brendan Rodgers, was keen on bringing the Scottish international back to his former club.
Additionally, several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Manchester City, were credited with showing interest in securing the services of the talented left-back.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano’s recent report through CaughtOffside suggested that Arsenal might be open to selling Tierney if they receive a significant offer.
Contrary to these speculations, Fichajes has now reported that Tierney has chosen to commit to Arsenal for the upcoming season, demonstrating his determination to fight for his spot under Arteta’s management.
Arteta, in his statements to reporters, expressed his desire to retain Tierney, emphasizing the importance of creating healthy competition within the team.
The manager believes that Tierney’s impressive performances during pre-season matches indicate his value to the squad and how he can elevate the team’s overall level of play.
Throughout Arsenal’s pre-season friendly matches, Tierney has been actively involved, although he is yet to secure a starting position despite Zinchenko’s injury.
Instead, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and recent acquisition Jurrien Timber have been preferred options at left-back.