We imagine that the phrase ’Kieran Tierney injury update’ will see plenty of Google traction between now and Thursday.
Because, for Arsenal fans, the prospect of taking on Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze without their influential left-back is the sort of blood-curdling fear that keeps you up at night.
We can only imagine how Granit Xhaka is feeling.
Because, while the Swiss international filled in admirably for Tierney against both Sheffield United and Slavia Prague, it was a different story when Richarlison came to town.
The Everton winger left Xhaka choking on his dust before firing the ball through Bernd Leno’s legs on Friday night.
To make matters worse, the jet-heeled Chukwueze appears to have rediscovered his very best form at precisely the worst time for Arsenal – just days before their Europa League semi-final meeting with Villarreal.
The 21-year-old Nigerian sent Jordi Alba for a hot dog before scoring a stunning individual goal against Barcelona this weekend. If Chukwueze can do that to one of the game’s finest left-backs, what punishment will he dole out to Xhaka; the tempestuous, yellow card collector forced to fill in in a very unusual role.
La Razon reported last week that Arsenal are weighing up a summer bid for Chukwueze – five years after they let the La Liga speed-machine slip through their grasp to the tune of just £4 million.
And that may give Villarreal’s white-hot wide man even more motivation at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Thursday.
Lord have mercy on Granit’s soul.
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