Kieran Gibbs has explained why Arsenal must not sell Kieran Tierney despite plans of summer clear-out. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium lately amid continued concerns over game time.
Tierney, who sees his contract at London Colney expire in 2026, has featured 26 times for the Gunners in the Premier League this season but, with Oleksandr Zinchenko preferred at left-back, he's only started on six occasions. While the Scotland international has impressed when called upon, he doesn't fit the profile that Mikel Arteta wants.
The Spaniard has operated Zinchenko as an inverted full-back this term, encouraging him to step in-field and almost accompany Thomas Partey as a second deep-lying playmaker. The Ukraine international has excelled in this position for Arsenal, leaving Tierney - an orthodox, byline-hugging full-back - on the sidelines.
