Tierney, who is a right back, was left on the bench by Arteta and only brought in for Martin Odegaard in the 82nd minute
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal left-back, Kieran Tierney, has lamented the decision of Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta to bench him in the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Liverpool on October 9.
Tierney, who was brought in for Martin Odegaard in the 82nd minute said he wants Arteta to play him in big matches so that he can ‘soak up the atmosphere.’
The Arsenal manager in the game opted to start right-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu at the left-back over Tierney, to tackle the threat from Liverpool’s Egyptian striker, Mohamed Salah.
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Tierney was left disappointed, saying he thought his manager substituted him in the Europa League fixture against Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates because he wanted him to start against Liverpool.
Speaking on the selection, Tierney told Sky Sports: “Of course, I was thinking, I got taken off in the Thursday night game [against Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates Stadium] that maybe he was keeping me for the Sunday.
“Maybe at the time, that was his [Arteta’s] plan as well, then the day before, he took me in and said, it is not on your performance, this is just a tactical change I want to make. I was like, I am gutted. But that is all it is.”
He, however, said despite the decision which left him gutted, he is not angry at the manager and he will continue to work hard to regain his place in the team.
“I am not going to be angry, not going to not try hard. I am gutted because I want to play every opportunity that I can, especially big games you want to play and soak up the atmosphere.” Tierney added.
