Alan Hutton believes it is simply a matter of time before Kieran Tierney becomes a regular at Arsenal again.
The left-back has been replaced in the starting XI in the last two games by Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arsenal added the Ukrainian to their squad in the transfer window because Tierney gets injured too often, and Nuno Tavares is not good enough.
The Premier League winner has been fantastic in his last two games for the club, and it seems he would keep playing ahead of Tierney, at least for now.
But former Villa man, Hutton, believes the Scotsman is too good for the bench, and Zinchenko’s versatility means they could both be in the same team.
He tells Football Insider:
“Obviously, we know he’s had his injury problems. I think it will be a matter of time before he comes in. I think he’s too good not to. Zinchenko is a terrific player as well and he’s versatile which I think helps Arteta and Kieran Tierney. Again, it’s a matter of time before he comes in because I think he’s better [than Zinchenko].”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Tierney has remained one of our best players over the years, and he is still one man we cannot do without.
The competition from Zinchenko is good, and it will help us get the best from both players.
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What the two players give to MA, is the option to play different formations, just as Tomi and White do on the opposite side.
I can see Tierney being “managed” by playing less games, according to the opponents faced.
Yet more evidence (for me personally) of the thinking that’s gone into our signings this window versus previous Arteta / Edu windows.
Totally agree with you Ken, it gives us options and makes us less predictable. From my point of view the future looks bright.
The leftback competition is much more stronger than the right as it(right back) chooses itself(Tomiyasu over white, any day).
‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’ is a meaningful saying, Zinchenko should play until he needs to rest. He is excellent. Tierney is a good player but must earn his right to come back in. We lost games with Tierney playing, that’s the truth. Watching the triangle of Zinchenko, Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus has been inspiring. It would be easy to change it and shoot ourselves in the foot. There will be lot’s of Europa Cup games, FA Cup games and League Cup games for Tierney to prove himself again.
Let’s get this straight, neither White nor Zinchenko are natural full backs.White is a ball playing CB, and Z is a central midfielder with excellent technical skills and intelligence to make the right decisions on the pitch.The fact that they are currently operating as”full backs” has been forced upon Arteta due to the injuries to Tomi and KT, who to my mind are ,as a pair up there with their contemporaries at Man City and Liverpool.We are fortunate to have four talented players available who have the adaptability to fit into a system without weakening the team to a degree which would happen if we had to rely on the likes of Bellerin, Cedric or AMN.Looking at the strength of our bench against Leicester gave me a feeling of confidence and optimism and all that without the highly talented Viera.
Yes, precisely how it needs to be if we have ambitions. We have a much more competitive squad this season, and I’m optimistic about our season.
Yes.