‘I hope so’: Arteta suggests he really wants to pick Arsenal star to start against City

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he wants to start Kieran Tierney against Manchester City if he allowed, on the club’s official website.

Tierney could miss out on featuring for Arsenal due to government regulations.

But Arsenal are trying to get the left-back dispensation to feature against City.

And Arteta admits that he is hoping he is able to pick the left-back ahead of his side’s clash with City.

“I hope so,” Arteta said, when asked if Tierney would be playing.

“This is getting very complicated when we are sending players abroad and obviously you lose control, some authorities have different regulations to the actual ones in the Premier League.

“We are still having some discussions with the authorities and hopefully we will know more this afternoon.”

Tierney’s availability would be a huge boost to Arsenal as he has proven himself a reliable figure in the Gunners’ backline.

The former Celtic man has been one of Arsenal’s most in-form players since the return to action in March, and his dynamic runs down the left are likely to be crucial on the counter against City.

If Tierney is unavailable to play Arteta could call upon Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles or even Sead Kolasinac to play at left-back.