Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has confirmed his knee operation went according to plan as he kicks off a long period of recovery. The Scottish left-back picked up the problem ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Crystal Palace earlier this week.
Current boss Mikel Arteta did not seem too optimistic of Tierney’s chances of appearing again in the short-term. Speaking after Arsenal’s defeat at Selhurst Park, the Spaniard said: “The feeling that he had wasn’t positive and what the scans showed either. But we have to wait and see what happens.”
Arteta’s worst fears were realised, with a club statement confirming that the former Celtic defender required surgery and was unlikely to appear for the club again until next season - whilst his availability for Scotland’s key 2022 World Cup play-off clashes this summer is in doubt.
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However, Tierney himself appears to be in good spirits having gone under the knife. He took to Instagram to offer a slight update on the procedure, as well as to thank supporters for their support following the crushing blow that he will be out for the remainder of the season.
Taking to his story alongside a picture of him smiling on a hospital bed, Tierney wrote: “Op went well. Thank you so much for all of the messages of support. Really appreciate it.”
The defender’s long-term absence now leaves Arteta with a considerable dilemma as he aims to return Arsenal to the Champions League. The most obvious replacement for the Scottish defender is former Benfica man Nuno Tavares. However, the Portuguese has failed to impress since his summer arrival at the Emirates Stadium and has been the victim of first-half substitutions in each of his last two starts against both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
That would likely leave Cedric Soares as the most obvious candidate to fill the left-back vacancy but with Takehiro Tomiyasu’s ongoing injury woes in north London, he is likely to be needed on the opposite flank. This then leaves Arteta with a decision over whether to play either of Bukayo Saka or Granit Xhaka in slightly unorthodox positions - just until Tomiyasu is back to full fitness.
