Mikel Arteta is hopeful that he can field Kieran Tierney in Arsenal’s game against Manchester City this weekend.
The Gunners will take on the Citizens in a game that sees Arteta face his former team and mentor, Pep Guardiola.
The Gunners beat City the last time both teams met, but it wasn’t an easy win and Arteta will want all his best players with him for the next match up.
However, Tierney has been stuck in Scotland after his national teammate, Stuart Armstrong tested positive for Covid-19.
He had been identified as a close contact to the Southampton man and forced into 14-day mandatory isolation.
He has returned negative tests and claimed that he observed social distancing, the Gunners are now in talks to get him back to London in time to face Manchester City this weekend.
Speaking ahead of the match, Arteta admitted that the situation was complicated, but the Gunners are in talks with the authorities to see if he can be allowed to join them.
He said as quoted by the Mail Online: ‘We are still having some discussions with the authorities,’ the Arsenal boss said.
‘This is getting very complicated when you are sending players abroad and obviously you lose control.
‘Some authorities have different regulations to the actual ones in the Premier League.’
I dont see him being allowed, i cant see how each case can be treated individually. This highlights massively why international football is ridiculous. It is a strange one though, he is supposed to have had it and has the virus antibodies, he has the immunity that nations are striving for but we dont know what the benefits are if there are any. Watch this space because it will be interesting whatever is decided. By the way, all the players playing for Portugal should be treated the same as Tierney but it is all confusing.
Rumours Tierney has been cleared to play but not Christie for Celtic, not in general circulation yet but if that is the case, It will open a can of worms.
Tierney will will play. Regular tests give them elite athletes status.
Tierney is indeed very important for Arsenal’s plans, both in decent defending and going forward. If Tierney is not available, I think MA will go with Saka as LB.
The authorities are killing the beautiful game of their stupid regulations