Lee Dixon has claimed that injured Arsenal star, Kieran Tierney, is ‘full-on’ and somebody who can’t ease himself into games.
The former Highbury hero added that his ‘full-bloodied’ nature is why he gets injured so much and it’s something he will learn from as he gets older, as he told Premier League Productions (04/04/22 at 7:35 pm).
On Monday night, the 24-year-old missed Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, with Nuno Tavares replacing the Scotsman at left-back – he was hooked at half-time.
But things have become worse for Tierney because the news broke on Tuesday that he could miss the rest of the season after knee surgery.
It’s a big blow, not just for Arsenal and their Champions League hopes, but for Scotland ahead of their quest to secure a place at the 2022 World Cup.
Dixon was a hard-hitting fullback during his playing days, as he shared what Tierney needs to learn from in order to stop getting injured.
“He’s one of those players, you need to keep your eye on him,” said Dixon. “He’s not a player that can ease himself into a game. He’s full-on and full-bloodied in everything he does.
“That’s why he gets so many injuries. As he gets a little bit older, he will earn the art of protecting himself, so those challenges where he can’t quite get there, he will pull out a little bit.
“Not pulling out of challenges, but not putting your foot into places that you need to. And that’s all about experience.”
The words from Dixon on Tierney would perhaps remind Arsenal fans of a certain Jack Wilshere.
The English midfielder picked up a few too many injuries because he didn’t shy away from challenges and took too many hits out on the field.
That played a part in his decline, but you still can’t take away that aggression and all-action nature from a player because it’s what makes them.
Tierney is just like that, he is full throttle and without putting his foot on the accelerator, you are not getting the best version of the flying Scotsman.
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