Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has urged Kieran Tierney to force his way back into the Arsenal starting XI after losing his place to Oleksandr Zinchenko this season.
The Scotland international is no longer first choice in the Gunners side following Zinchenko's move to the Emirates Stadium from Manchester City last summer. In fact, Tierney has made just four Premier League starts during the 2022/23 campaign despite being fit for every single game.
Tierney, 25, was arguably in the form of his Arsenal career before he suffered a season-ending knee injury after the 1-0 win over Aston Villa last March. It meant he missed the final 10 league matches as the Gunners eventually slipped out of the Champions League places.
As he was getting back to full speed, Mikel Arteta decided to sign Ukraine captain Zinchenko in the summer in an attempt to bolster his squad and add some more quality to the left-back position. Unfortunately for Tierney, it is a decision that has paid off as Zinchenko has impressed during his time at the club.
"Kieran was left out initially because he was injured, and the player who came in for him has done well," Dalglish told The Sunday Post. "Mikel Arteta probably decided to sign Zinchenko because he wants Arsenal to play the same way as Manchester City, with the full-backs playing on the inside rather than outside.
"Zinchenko was taught that way at City, so he is used to it. Kieran is not. That does not mean to say Kieran has gone backwards as a player. It is just someone else has been a wee bit better.
"He will respect where he is, and he will respect the boy got in when he was injured and nicked a step in front of him. He would expect to do the same himself.
"We have seen what Kieran can do in the minutes he has had for them setting up a goal against Crystal Palace last week. Now he is with Scotland and it is a great opportunity for him to put his case forward for Arsenal."
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Tierney's injury at the back end of last season came at a really unfortunate time for the defender. It was later revealed that he felt the knee collapse when he was walking out of the shower.
He suffered knee cartilage damage in a 2-1 victory against Wolves, but played another six matches for club and country before the problem reared its head in an unusual setting. Tierney has clocked 28 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners since recovering, including five starts in the Europa League.
However, the former Celtic left-back has been linked with a move away from the club. It is understood Newcastle are keen on Tierney as Eddie Howe tries to bolster his squad with another experienced campaigner.
Tierney is currently on international duty with Scotland and started their 3-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday. The Tartan Army are next in action when they take on Spain at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
