Unai Emery suggests Kieran Tierney will start for Arsenal tonight

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is set to stay in London over the international break.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has told Football London that his side’s club doctor told him to keep Kieran Tierney at the Emirates Stadium over the international break.

Tierney has opted to skip Scotland duty in the coming weeks, and initially the news created some fear around Arsenal that he had suffered a set back.

However, it seems that Tierney’s fitness has not worsened, and Arsenal just wanted to be cautious with their new left-back.

Indeed, Tierney is set to feature tonight for the Gunners in the Europa League, when they take on Standard Liege.

“He needs time, confidence, training and playing. Tomorrow is a good opportunity, he is ready to play. He will take minutes and confidence,” Emery said about the £25 million summer signing (BBC Sport).

“He will be able with us to show his progress.

“I asked Kieran yesterday because we were waiting first for him to be with us consistently. Each step yesterday is important to be consistent. He didn’t play in Manchester because he had a small problem, not important, but the doctor told us it was important for him to be here with us, preparing for tomorrow.”

Tierney looked excellent on debut for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest, even though he is not fully match sharp yet.

The former Celtic man is fully expected to break into Arsenal’s team when he gets his fitness levels up, with Emery looking to tighten up his side’s defence.

Tierney is returning to full health at the same time as Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding for Arsenal, and that should be a major boost to Emery’s side’s defence.

If Tierney does impress for Arsenal tonight, there may be an outside chance that Emery considers giving him an opportunity in the Premier League at the weekend, when the North London side take on Bournemouth.