Mikel Arteta has told Football London that he thinks Kieran Tierney’s improvement at Arsenal has been ‘incredible’.
Arsenal brought in Tierney from Celtic just over 18 months ago, and he has already become a vital player for them.
The £25 million Scot (Sky) is one of the first names on Arteta’s side’s teamsheet, with his passion and delivery from wide areas both crucial to Arsenal now.
Arteta now admits that he has been highly impressed by the progress that Tierney has made in the past few months.
However, the Gunners boss may not be able to call upon the 23-year-old in the coming weeks.
Arsenal are sweating on Tierney’s injury diagnoses, with the full-back set for a scan tomorrow.
If Tierney is out, Arteta now wants to see another one of his Arsenal players step up to the challenge and make sure his absence doesn’t impact on the team too much.
“Well, it is a challenge when you created a game plan for the day and just a few hours before the game he has to pull out,” he said.
“But that’s why we have other players to do it and they have to step in.
“Kieran’s progression in the last few months has been incredible and now it’s for another player to step in and do that he does.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was the player Arsenal drafted in to replace Tierney last night, but he didn’t entirely convince.
The England international failed to offer Arsenal the same attacking thrust that Tierney usually does, and he will need an improved performance on Monday evening, if he plays against Newcastle United, if he is to keep his place for the long-term.
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