Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is expecting Kieran Tierney to leave the club this summer due to his lack of game time.
After establishing himself as a regular since his move from Celtic in 2019, Tierney has become much more of a bit-part player this term following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. Zinchenko was immediately elevated to first choice and has quickly become a key figure in Mikel Arteta's side due to his ability to play in central areas.
As such, Tierney has started just four league games all season, with his last one coming all the way back on Boxing Day. The Scotland international was even an unused substitute in Arsenal's Europa League exit to Sporting CP on Thursday.
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With Tierney almost certainly keen to see an improvement in game time, Champions League chasers Newcastle United are among the sides reportedly keen on a summer move. Speaking to The Games Cabin, Sagna doesn't ever expect Tierney to be able to dislodge Zinchenko as Arsenal's first choice left back and is therefore believes he will ask to ask to leave the Gunners this summer.
“He obviously hasn’t been doing amazing and this season the club have brought in Oleksandr Zinchenko, who’s become a key player in the team and in that left-back position.
“I think Zinchenko is here to stay for a long time, so Kieran is going to have to have a discussion with the club. Arsenal are obviously aware of his quality but if Kieran wants to play more, then I’m not sure he’s going to get in ahead of Zinchenko.
“It will be his decision of course and he can still be a part of Arsenal’s squad but as a player, you always want to play more, so he will surely be asking to leave the club.”
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