Neil Lennon believes that Kieran Tierney is a 'better defender' than Oleksandr Zinchenko and claimed the Scotland international has been unfortunate with his lack of game time at Arsenal this season.
Mikel Arteta has opted to go with Zinchenko as his starting left-back for the majority of the campaign as the Gunners bid for their first Premier League title in 19 years. In fact, Tierney has started just four top-flight matches all season - with his most recent coming in December.
He was a regular in the Europa League XI, however, with Tierney also playing in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches they had before being knocked out by Manchester City and Brighton. Unless there is an injury or suspension to Zinchenko, it doesn't look like Tierney will get another look-in between now and the end of the campaign.
However, former Celtic boss Lennon claimed that Tierney deserves more game time but also highlighted Zinchenko's quality and insisted he has been "fabulous" this term. Speaking to Premier League Odds, Lennon said: "I think Tierney will be used between now and the end of the season and I think he is going to play a massive part in Mikel's plans.
"I watched him play left centre-half for Scotland against Spain and he was outstanding. He’s a brilliant player who has struggled with niggly injuries over the years and you hope he can get a good run of games.
"I really think he is a top defender and I think the closer Arsenal get towards the end of the season, the more or a role I think he will play. I like Zinchenko and I think he is a fabulous player, but I’m not convinced he’s as good a defender as Kieran.
"I think he is actually likely to play at the Etihad against Man City, he may not have as soft feet as Zinchenko - who can manipulate the ball in tight areas - Kieran is more of a dynamic player who drives teams up the pitch. But he is a brilliant defender, who still has a lot to offer Arsenal and Mikel, which will certainly be in the back of his mind as well.
"He’s a Rolls Royce of a player and brilliant professional as well, who gives Scotland a lot of security with his pace and power at the back. I think that as a one-on-one defender, he is as good as anyone in the game as well."
Arsenal are back in action when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday in a huge game at the top of the table. They currently sit five points ahead of Manchester City but the gap could be reduced to just two should Pep Guardiola's side beat Southampton on Saturday evening.
