“I agree with Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop me – I’ll most likely still leave Arsenal in the summer.”
Kieran Tierney has acknowledged that there’s a strong possibility he could permanently depart Arsenal this summer. Currently on loan at Real Sociedad in La Liga, Tierney has faced several injury setbacks during his stint, missing a significant number of games.
The left-back joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019 but saw his playing time reduced after the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in 2022. Despite making 27 Premier League appearances last season, Tierney was only named a starter six times by manager Mikel Arteta. Now, Tierney has openly discussed his future with Arsenal, admitting it’s probable that he’ll leave the Emirates Stadium once again.
Tierney highlighted the depth of talent in his position at Arsenal, including Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jakub Kiwior, suggesting that if the situation remains unchanged upon his return, a departure is likely. However, he remained open to the unpredictability of football, citing rare cases like William Saliba’s return to the club after successful loan spells.
Despite the potential departure, Tierney expressed no ill feelings towards Arsenal or Arteta for their decisions, understanding the tactical nature of the choices made. He acknowledged the team’s progress and the support of the Arsenal fans, emphasizing his appreciation for their continued backing.