Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is close to making a return joining first team training with boss Mikel Arteta for the first time since the Spaniard took over last December.
The 22-year-old signed from Celtic in the summer for £25million – a record fee for a Scottish player – and provided two assists in his first three starts for the club.
However, a hip injury limited his playing time at the start of the season and Tierney then dislocated his shoulder against West Ham on 9 December.
He has not featured for the Gunners since undergoing surgery and was expected to be out for three months.
In that time, ex-boss Unai Emery was dismissed, with Arteta taking charge.
(Image: David Price)
But Tierney is closing on a return, and has been taking part in Arsenal’s winter training camp in Dubai.
The young left-back is set to have an important role to play in Arteta’s plans once he gets fully up to speed.
The Spaniard started his managerial career as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, so he is likely to adopt the Manchester City boss’ emphasis on the role of the full-backs as he shapes his own style.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Tierney will face competition from Sead Kolasinac as he looks to assert himself as the Gunners’ first-choice left-back.
Bukayo Saka has also filled in at left-back recently and has impressed, though Tierney’s return to fitness could allow the 18-year-old prospect to play in a more advanced role – where he prefers.
(Image: David Price)
Tierney, a Celtic fan, came through the ranks at the Glasgow giants after joining the academy as a 7-year-old.
He went on to make 170 appearances for Celtic, scoring eight goals, providing 37 assists and winning 11 trophies.
He has also made 12 appearances for the Scottish national team, though captain Andrew Robertson occupying the left-back berth means that Tierney usually features at right-back or centre-back.
