According to a new report from the Telegraph, Oxford United had planned to target Kieran Tierney in the build-up to their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup.
This revelation does not do wonders for the reputation of Tierney, who has become the second choice left-back at the club since the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer.
For starters, the Scottish international has been unable to cement his reputation as a world-class player, due to his incessant injury woes.
To add to that, Tierney profiles as a traditional, overlapping full-back, which Mikel Arteta clearly seems not to prefer, as opposed to Zinchenko, who is a master of the inverted role.
Starting a mere four games in the Premier League and being out-of-favour at Arsenal, one can understand why Oxford United boss Karl Robinson felt Kieran Tierney would perhaps be the sole weak link on the night.
However, the £110,000-a-week defender has always been a reliable defensive presence, and also operates as a centre-back in a back three with aplomb for Scotland.
But that did not influence Oxford United and their thinking, heading into one of their biggest games in years.
Oxford United decided to target Kieran Tierney in the run-up to FA Cup tie vs Arsenal
The Telegraph have reported that Oxford United had set a plan aside to keep running at Kieran Tierney, ahead of their 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup.
However, Tierney largely held his own against Oxford, putting in a solid, if not spectacular display.
Tellingly, however, the 25-year-old was taken off by Mikel Arteta in the 61st minute for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
It’s high-time Kieran Tierney ensures his stock rises once again, as it is rather damning that Oxford United felt he was the one Arsenal player they could trouble ahead of the FA Cup tie.
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