John Hartson thinks Arsenal fans have been ‘quite impressed’ with Kieran Tierney despite his ‘big mistake’ in the North London derby, as he told Stadium Astro.
The former Wales international, who also played for Celtic and Arsenal just like Tierney, stated that the left-back ‘will improve’ after having to contend with injuries in his first season at the club.
Arsenal signed Tierney last summer when he made the switch from Celtic, who had just won the treble-treble.
Whilst Hartson wasn’t impressed with how Tierney defended Tottenham’s winning goal in the North London derby, he does think that he will get better in the long run.
“Tierney, of course [will still be there next season], £25 million, I think he will improve,” Hartson told Stadium Astro. “I think he will get better. It was probably his first big mistake [against Spurs].
“I think Arsenal fans have been quite impressed with Kieran Tierney. Remember when he first came to the club, he had some injuries, which he had to get over. He seemed to be doing very well.
“[But against Spurs] to lose Alderweireld. Not good enough. Too big of a game against Spurs. Got to stick with your man. Bellerin’s [future] is safe at right-back [also].”
Tierney is perhaps one of a few Arsenal defenders who is in the good books of his own fanbase.
It has been a tough start for the young Scotsman, in terms of having to play for a side that have massive defensive issues and have declined even further this term.
There’s no doubt that Tierney’s strength is going forward, and on a number of occasions this season, he has shown how well he can cross a ball from the flanks.
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