‘Sad’: 25-year-old Gunner may have played his last ever game for Arsenal, he could leave with Xhaka
There are suggestions that Kieran Tierney, along with Granit Xhaka, might have played his final game for Arsenal on Sunday.
As the summer transfer window approaches, it is anticipated that Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, and technical director, Edu, will be actively involved in reshaping the squad.
While most attention will be on potential new signings, there is also the possibility of some players leaving the club.
Although Granit Xhaka has been generating more attention regarding a potential departure, Dean Jones, as reported on GiveMeSport, has claimed that 25-year-old Kieran Tierney is also expected to leave Arsenal.
These reports suggest that Tierney’s future at the club might be uncertain.
According to reports, Kieran Tierney is likely to leave Arsenal during the upcoming summer transfer window following discussions with manager Mikel Arteta.
According to information from the Times (reported by HITC), the Scottish left-back, is attracting attention from Newcastle United and Aston Villa. It is believed that Newcastle United is the frontrunner in securing his services, although Unai Emery is reportedly personally interested in bringing him to Villa Park.
Unai Emery was the manager of Arsenal when Kieran Tierney was acquired from Celtic in August 2019 for a transfer fee of €27 million. However, under current manager Mikel Arteta, Tierney has been relegated to the role of a second-choice left-back.
Arsenal’s signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City last summer has further pushed Tierney down the hierarchy. Newcastle United, on the other hand, currently has Dan Burn, Matt Targett, and Jamal Lewis as their left-back options for the upcoming season, with Paul Dummett’s contract expiring this summer.
Villa also has multiple options available on the left side, including Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno, who was signed in January under Unai Emery’s management. The cost of acquiring Kieran Tierney from Arsenal is yet to be determined, considering his contract with the club extends until the summer of 2026.
Despite his reduced role, the 25-year-old made 36 appearances in various competitions this season, with only 15 starts. He is capable of playing as a left-wing-back or a traditional left-back, and he also possesses the flexibility to operate as a center-back in a three-man defensive setup.
Kieran Tierney had the opportunity to play in only nine games across various competitions during Unai Emery’s tenure as manager before Emery was fired on November 29, 2019.
After Emery left, Tierney expressed himself on Instagram by sharing a picture of himself with a caption, as reported by Football.London. “Thank you and good luck. [handshake emoji].
Emery is well acquainted with Tierney’s abilities and strengths as they worked together during their time at Arsenal, with Emery overseeing Tierney’s arrival at the club for a respectable transfer fee.
Whether the two will reunite at Aston Villa this summer remains uncertain. Aston Villa, who finished seventh in the league, can offer European football in the upcoming season.
While Arsenal secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League by finishing second this season, it is unlikely that Tierney would displace Zinchenko in the pecking order at the club. Considering his age, it would be sensible for Tierney to explore opportunities elsewhere and make the most of his prime years.
It is worth noting that Tierney is represented by CAA Stellar, the same agency that represents several Aston Villa players, including Marvelous Nakamba, Bertrand Traore, Ezri Konsa, Jed Steer, and Oliwier Zych.
‘Sad’: 25-year-old Gunner may have played his last ever game for Arsenal, he could leave with Xhaka