Paul Merson has stated that the ‘problem’ with Kieran Tierney is that he is becoming ‘a bit of a school captain’ for Arsenal and trying to do ‘everything’, as he told 90min.
The outspoken TV pundit did make it clear that he is a big fan of Tierney and thinks he is one of the ‘main players’ for Arsenal.
Since Tierney swapped Celtic for Arsenal colours in a £25 million deal in 2019 (Sky Sports), he has become a bit of a fan favourite in North London.
His old school style of wearing short sleeves, tucking his shirt into his shorts and being that vocal figure has seen his stock rise amongst Arsenal fans in next to no time.
Tierney didn’t play for Arsenal last night, as they recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Wimbledon in the League Cup.
That’s because he is being rested up for that all-important North London derby on Sunday.
And Merson made it clear that if he had a choice then he would pick Tierney over Tottenham’s Spanish left-back, Sergio Reguilon.
“I like Tierney,” said Merson. “The problem is that he is becoming a bit of a school captain. He is trying to do everything.
“Instead of doing his job, like stopping crosses, he’s trying to do everything, so he is caught in between. Stop the cross or get back into a position.
“I like Reguilon. But I have got to go for Tierney. He is one of the main players for Arsenal, and if he can’t get in the team (Arsenal-Tottenham combined XI) then I am struggling.
“No disrespect to the other lad, but I have to go for Tierney”
There are some Arsenal fans who feel that Tierney should be captain because he does come across as that leader without the armband.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Granit Xhaka have donned that captain’s armband before.
And it will be interesting to see who Mikel Arteta turns to next because if it is Tierney then it will be a popular choice.
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