It’s been a quiet one since Saturday’s sport, 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 to date this pre-season, so we have now seen Jakub Kiwior begin at left-back in opposition to Nürnberg and MLS All-Stars, then Takehiro Tomiyasu there in opposition to Manchester United.
However Kieran Tierney, regardless of not beginning a sport but, has performed extra minutes (120) than each of them and is the one participant of the three to characteristic in all three matches. Perhaps all of meaning one thing, perhaps it means nothing, however with the majority of the incomings finished for the summer season, what occurs to Tierney stays one of the crucial 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 greatest happy with however, talking on the US tour on Sunday, he confirmed no indicators of dissatisfaction as he admitted his future just isn’t actually in his arms:
“It’s not likely as much as me (my future). I’m joyful, I’m working exhausting daily and getting minutes. I’m simply attempting to do in addition to I can.
“You may’t play each single sport, each single season, each single yr. I don’t anticipate that and I nonetheless made loads of appearances final yr.
“I used to be prepared each sport 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 greatest for the workforce. I got here off the bench quite a bit 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 could 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 rapidly.
As not too long ago as Could, the left-back delivered an excellent efficiency from the bench within the win at Newcastle — a reminder that he stays a wonderful conventional left-back, if not the perfect candidate to battle Zinchenko for a job that tucks inside and acts like an additional midfielder — and as we entered the summer season 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 start out excited about what Tierney can carry us on the pitch somewhat than within the coffers.
With Champions League soccer to play there will probably 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 via both passing or dribbling. With the Dutchman an choice at right-back, the four-man backline might be flipped at instances subsequent season. That opens a door for Jakub Kiwior at left-back, as a form of left-sided Ben White, but in addition for Tierney, who has efficiently performed as a left-sided centre-back for membership and nation (and notably beneath Arteta) up to now.
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 finished it for the final yr. I’m studying it.
“Alex is the prime instance of methods to do it so if you happen to’re going to study off anybody it will be Zinchenko. I’ve been studying off him and asking him questions however there are such a lot of alternative ways of taking part in. The previous couple of video games I haven’t been doing that.
“Totally different folks work alternative ways. I favor to do it on the pitch. Video helps for positive 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 one of the best 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 very least completely different in some matches, Tierney might have a big function to play for this workforce and this supervisor. We got here into the summer season and anticipated the defender to be offered. There’s each probability he nonetheless will probably 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 in the course of the day as the sport in opposition to 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 acquired completely nowhere with my not Lego Highbury. Perhaps at present!
