Kieran Tierney looked a player untouchable at Arsenal for much of the past three seasons that he’s been in north London since arriving in 2019. Under Unai Emery initially and then Mikel Arteta, Tierney became the go-to left-back but became hamstrung by repetitive injury issues.
These combined with Arsenal manager Arteta’s view for the position led to the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko in 2022. The Ukrainian has become quickly the preferred choice for Arteta having worked with him at Manchester City, as well as his familiarity with the player, his top-class ability to play the inverted role and his leadership characteristics.
Tierney meanwhile has tried to adapt this season and take on more inverted responsibilities when in the team. However, it has not been enough to convince Arteta to use the Scottish international more often and even to give him any minutes whatsoever in the past three league games.
READ MORE: Liverpool vs Everton disaster resurfaces as VAR change made for huge Arsenal vs Man City clash
Tierney’s last appearance in the Premier League came away at Tottenham in the final ten minutes. Interestingly, despite Arsenal being in positions in their recent two games that needed a goal to either avoid defeat against Everton or find a winner against Brentford the direct full-back was not used.
This is somewhat puzzling, especially with Zinchenko’s inverted nature being far more ineffective against the sides using a deep defensive block. In theory, Tierney’s overlapping in the wide areas could have provided the left-winger with greater support and tackle the defensive tactics the opposition used to double up on the Arsenal wide players.
Yet Arteta kept faith in Zinchenko. The irony is that for the game against City Zinchenko should, in my view, still start.
This is not an argument surrounding whether Tierney should replace the Ukrainian international, Zinchenko has been far too good throughout the season to have that discussion. Tierney however should be seen as a viable offensive asset to give further support to the attack in moments where Arsenal are trying to find a goal in games where the result remains out of their hands.
In matches where the opposition have taken some tips from the likes of Brentford and Everton to sit back and frustrate, Tierney can be an effective option. Should he not be, there would be little surprise in seeing the former Celtic man seeking a potential move away in the summer.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Martinelli could be dropped for Man City clash with injured Arsenal star close to return
Man City suffer major Erling Haaland blow ahead of key Premier League title clash vs Arsenal
Man City duo Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan issue warning to Arsenal ahead of key Premier League clash
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Toney's 'offside goal', Martinelli's form and set pieces
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
