Former Scottish footballer Frank McAvennie insists Kieran Tierney is the best left-back in the Premier League and backs him to leave Arsenal.
The Scotsman was the first choice at the Emirates when he first moved to London and was a crowd favourite among Arsenal’s fans.
However, he is no longer number one after the club added Oleksandr Zinchenko to their squad in the summer.
The Ukrainian offers more in midfield, which is what Mikel Arteta wants now, but Tierney seems better in defence and McAvennie insists he should leave Arsenal.
He tells Football Insider:
“Real Madrid were looking at Tierney. I think he is the best left-back in the Premier League, I think he is different class.
“Arsenal are not playing him at left-back because they are playing Zinchenko instead but he is not as defensively-minded as Tierney.
“Tierney is not bad at going forward but he is not getting involved in midfield like Zinchenko does and that is what the manager wants.
“Going to Newcastle would be a great piece of business, I think he would definitely strengthen the defence. They have got the money to go and spend and get Tierney.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Tierney has been a fine addition to our playing squad since he moved to Arsenal and continues to deliver good performances for us when he plays.
Many fans will agree that he is better than a bench warmer and if he asks to leave, we will likely agree to the request.
But if he stays, he is almost guaranteed to win many trophies.
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Kieran isnt only a top class footballer but he has the right mentality and character to be here.He is one of us
I honestly do not envisage Arsenal letting or wishing Tierney to leave.
I agree with McAvennie that he is the best left sided proper left back in our PREM.
As such it would be crazy to let him go and IMO, MA is the total opposite from “crazy”!
Agree 100 % Jon – the problem is the current first eleven are proving their worth.
I only hope that MA finds him more playing time, the lure of CL football and the fact that he’s part of this unique club this season.
I think we’ll let him leave if that’s what he wants. I can see arteta trying to convince him to stay, and he’s been successful doing that several times before, but ultimately there’d be no point in keeping him if he doesn’t want to be here (emphasis on *if*).
It could also be that he’s perfectly happy here, and is training to better fit our playing style – he’s shown he can play other roles than LB, and I do think he could adapt to playing the role somewhat similarly to white and zinchenko, it’s just not his natural game.
I’d like Arsenal if they can keep him, he’s a good player. Arteta should just find a way to alternate his squad for the benefit of every player.
Aside from his injury problems, Tierney would be my first choice with Zivchenko covering defensive midfield and liking up with Partey and Odegaard. Unfortunately for Tierney, Arteta has different loyalties and who am I to argue with a winning combination. Just hoping it won’t detail in the final countdown.
Is true Tierney is one of the best at left back, please but don’t advice him to leave arsenal,please we beg you we need him,he will start playing Tierney don’t leave arsenal.
Let him stay put i did like arteta to give him more game thanks to zinny versatility he can always pave a way for kt,.gunners all the way.
KT just need more playing time and MA can fashion a more flexible system that can create that for the benefit every player in Arsenal. As it stands, no player in Arsenal should be a bench warmer if MA rotates his team like Guardiola. MA should not let KT leave at all cost otherwise another Martinez mistake is loading.
Is AFC win the league, KT wont leave. There will be many games next season that will require all human resources including him. posibility of addition (2 top class players in every or several positions will be required), Saka, Jesus, Xaka, Gabriel all need (best covers available in the market)