It’s been a quiet one since Saturday’s recreation, which doesn’t come as an excessive amount of of a shock following a pre-season defeat and with the gamers making the coast-to-coast trek throughout the US.
Arsenal have been with out Oleksandr Zinchenko thus far this pre-season, so we have now seen Jakub Kiwior begin at left-back towards Nürnberg and MLS All-Stars, then Takehiro Tomiyasu there towards Manchester United.
However Kieran Tierney, regardless of not beginning a recreation but, has performed extra minutes (120) than each of them and is the one participant of the three to characteristic in all three matches. Possibly all of meaning one thing, perhaps it means nothing, however with the majority of the incomings accomplished for the summer time, what occurs to Tierney stays probably the most attention-grabbing switch window questions nonetheless dealing with us.
Simply a few years in the past, the Scot was being touted as a possible Arsenal captain. The season earlier than final — 2021/22 — he was nonetheless a assured starter when match, making 22 Premier League begins and nil appearances from the bench. That flipped considerably with the addition of Zinchenko, with Tierney nonetheless making 27 Premier League appearances final season however simply six coming from the beginning.
That’s not a state of affairs he’s prone to be finest happy with however, talking on the US tour on Sunday, he confirmed no indicators of dissatisfaction as he admitted his future shouldn’t be actually in his fingers:
“It’s not likely as much as me (my future). I’m completely satisfied, I’m working arduous every single day and getting minutes. I’m simply making an attempt to do in addition to I can.
“You may’t play each single recreation, each single season, each single yr. I don’t count on that and I nonetheless made a number of appearances final yr.
“I used to be prepared each recreation and dealing 100 per cent. I believe everybody in there would agree with that, that I by no means give lower than that whether or not I’m taking part in or not.
“Within the video games I did play I attempted to do my finest for the workforce. I got here off the bench rather a lot final season, whether or not that was to see video games out or assist get a purpose.”
There’s definitely no denying Tierney’s dedication and whereas he might not appear to suit into Mikel Arteta’s plans completely, final season was the primary time he wasn’t a assured starter at Arsenal. Issues like that may change shortly.
As not too long ago as Might, the left-back delivered an excellent efficiency from the bench within the win at Newcastle — a reminder that he stays a superb conventional left-back, if not the perfect candidate to battle Zinchenko for a task that tucks inside and acts like an additional midfielder — and as we entered the summer time he was extensively anticipated to move to St. James’ Park. Nothing has materialised on that entrance simply but, nor has reported curiosity from Aston Villa, hyperlinks to Celtic appear fanciful give the cash concerned, and if nothing occurs within the subsequent 5 weeks or so it’ll be time to begin fascinated by what Tierney can deliver us on the pitch moderately than within the coffers.
With Champions League soccer to play there can be loads of minutes to go round and the addition of Jurrien Timber might assist Tierney regain a spot within the Arsenal workforce. Timber, like Zinchenko, is technically excellent and excels in shifting the ball upfield by way of both passing or dribbling. With the Dutchman an choice at right-back, the four-man backline could possibly be flipped at instances subsequent season. That opens a door for Jakub Kiwior at left-back, as a type of left-sided Ben White, but additionally for Tierney, who has efficiently performed as a left-sided centre-back for membership and nation (and notably beneath Arteta) previously.
Tierney did additionally contact on the duty of taking part in like Zinchenko at left-back, as he was requested to do at instances final season:
“I’ve accomplished it for the final yr. I’m studying it.
“Alex is the prime instance of learn how to do it so in case you’re going to be taught off anybody it will be Zinchenko. I’ve been studying off him and asking him questions however there are such a lot of other ways of taking part in. The previous couple of video games I haven’t been doing that.
“Totally different folks work other ways. I desire to do it on the pitch. Video helps for certain and even whenever you’re on the bench you watch when he goes inside, when he comes out. It’s all studying because it was genuinely all new to me. I had by no means performed within the centre of the park earlier than. It wasn’t someplace I ventured in fairly often earlier than so it makes you a greater participant studying. It’s not for me. It’s for the workforce and giving them the most effective probability to win.”
“The previous couple of video games I haven’t been doing that.”
No, precisely. That’s the road that caught out for me. If the job of an Arsenal left-back adjustments, or is at the least totally different in some matches, Tierney might have a major function to play for this workforce and this supervisor. We got here into the summer time and anticipated the defender to be offered. There’s each probability he nonetheless can be. Looking forward to when Arsenal use Timber at right-back, the left-back function will change in flip, and it might turn into one thing that matches Tierney and his attributes.
All that apart, we’ll see what (if something) else pops up throughout the day as the sport towards Barcelona approaches.
And for anybody questioning after studying yesterday’s weblog: I noticed Oppenheimer — Barbie is pencilled in for later this week — and no, I received completely nowhere with my not Lego Highbury. Possibly right now!
