Arteta after leaving Tierney out of Wednesday’s match also hinted that he could sign defensive cover in January
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta surprisingly left out left back, Kieran Tierney in Gunner’s 3-0 victory over visiting Monaco at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old defender returned to Arsenal’s first-team squad last month, having sustained an injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024 in June.
However, amid Arsenal’s defensive injury crisis, the Scot was in contention to start Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Monaco.
Arteta, though, opted to delay his first start for the North London club in 18 months by choosing to give teenager, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who’s naturally a midfielder, the nod at left-back.
Prior to the match, the Spanish tactician was asked about his decision to start 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly and told TNT Sports: “Well, obviously the circumstances (injuries) to be fair and the fact that the kid has done really well for us and he deserves a chance.
“We are all buzzing to see one of our coming out in a big match like this and playing for us.”
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Tierney’s omission came as a shock given Arteta’s comments during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “He is ready, he’s training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure,” the Spaniard declared.
“The way the team is looking at the moment, he is going to do that for that reason and because he’s earned it. The way he’s behaved, the way he’s been with us because he’s willing to do it and when.”
Explaining how he’d use Tierney, Arteta added: “I would put Kieran more in his strengths. If we do what we have to do I would play him in positions, especially in attack, in situations and scenarios and spaces that he is more comfortable with. That’s a learning.
“It is about the player having certain qualities. First is he willing to do it? Does he want to do it, yes or no? The other one: is he capable of doing it and does he understand it? When a player has those three ingredients anything can happen. We see that with many other players. But if a player doesn’t really fill it, it is more of a problem and we as coaches we have to find solutions.”
Arteta after leaving Tierney out during the game also hinted that he could sign defensive cover in January.
He said, “The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we feel that we have the capacity to do that as well. We are on it and just have to assess the situation because it is changing every week. At the moment not for the better, but I’m positive that in a few weeks we’re going to be in a better place.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal with Wednesday’s win, are now 3rd on UEFA’s 36 league table format table and in contention for automatic qualification with two games to go.