Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish has encouraged Kieran Tierney to earn his way back Arsenal’s into the starting lineup. Dalglish thinks Tierney’s performance hasn’t dropped enough for him to be taken out of the starting lineup. Instead, he credits the team’s recent success to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s stellar play.
Tierney has played in every game despite being healthy this season, although he has only started four times for the Premier League. Dalglish suggests that he should continue working hard in training to regain his spot in the starting lineup.
Dalglish thinks Tierney has a bright future at Arsenal and can still make a huge contribution for the squad this season, despite claims of interest from Newcastle.
“Kieran was left out initially because he was injured, and the player who came in for him has done well,” Dalglish speaking to The Sunday Post.
“Mikel Arteta probably decided to sign Zinchenko because he wants Arsenal to play the same way as Manchester City, with the full-backs playing on the inside rather than outside.
“Zinchenko was taught that way at City, so he is used to it. Kieran is not. That does not mean to say Kieran has gone backwards as a player. It is just someone else has been a wee bit better.
“He will respect where he is, and he will respect the boy got in when he was injured and nicked a step in front of him. He would expect to do the same himself.
“We have seen what Kieran can do in the minutes he has had for them setting up a goal against Crystal Palace last week. Now he is with Scotland and it is a great opportunity for him to put his case forward for Arsenal.
“Tierney has shown he can play where he is needed for Scotland and now he has a similar challenge with his club.
“Take the challenge up and see if he can get back in at left-back. If he can’t get a place there, then he has to see if he can knock someone out further forward – on the left of midfield, or wherever there is an opportunity.
“Kieran still has a chance at Arsenal because, to be successful, you need a really good squad of players.
“Arsenal are in the position everyone would want to be in, five points clear at the top of the table.
“They still have Man City to play and they have to come to Anfield, so it is not finished yet, but they are where you would want to be.”
Kieran Tierney is someone that is loved by Arsenal fan base immensely, and if there were a way to keep him at the club and find a role that would satisfy him – that would be something majority of Emirates would love and cheer. And as Kenny points out – Kieran’s performances haven’t fallen, if he were to continue knocking on the door and grab his chances with both hands, he can still have a reaping future at Arsenal.
What do you think? Should Arsenal be looking to sell Tierney or should the Scottish full-back find a way to come out on top of this adversity?
