Darren Bent reacts to 27-year-old possibly returning to Arsenal this month

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Whilst the striker position at Arsenal grabs most of the headlines, another problem area for the team has been at left-back.

The injury to Jurrien Timber at the start of the campaign hit Arsenal hard, whilst Mikel Arteta allowed Kieran Tierney to join Spanish side Real Sociedad on a loan deal and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s performances have been indifferent.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is another player who has filled that role this season, but he has had his own injury issues, as well as now being on Asian Cup duty.

Despite all of that, Darren Bent made it clear that Arsenal don’t need to recall Kieran Tierney from Spain during the January transfer window, as he told Premier League Productions (15/01/24 at 2:55 pm).

The simple reason is that Mikel Arteta would ask that player to play as an ‘inverted fullback’ and Darren Bent says Kieran Tierney’s inability to play that way is a reason why the 27-year-old is now at Real Sociedad.

You would think if Arsenal were going to recall the Scotland international, then they would have done it by now.

But you can’t argue that in certain games this season, such as Aston Villa and Liverpool, a player like Tierney would have faired a lot better.

Kieran Tierney return to Arsenal?

“If you are playing an inverted fullback, then no, that’s why I think he has been sent to Sociedad,” said Bent about Tierney’s possible return.

“But Timber, it looks like he is training now. He looked brilliant in pre-season. I think he would be the answer to that left-back situation. Zinchenko, a very good footballer, but defensively not very good.”

Arsenal need to find their mojo back

You would think this would come with the team simply putting the ball into the back of the net.

There can’t be panic here because there is still a long way to go and it’s about improving on one big issue – the finishing.

Arsenal are creating the chances, and defending well on most parts, the midfield looks strong with Declan Rice, it’s just the forward players who need that confidence.

And you would think if the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, to name a few, can find that rhythm again, then they will be pushing for top spot in next to no time.