‘He’s earned it’ – Kieran Tierney could return for Arsenal after 16 months with SEVEN defenders missing
Arsenal had seven defensive players absent from training on Tuesday – opening the door for Kieran Tierney to return to the team. The Gunners host Monaco on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT, in their final Champions League fixture of 2024. Arsenal had big names in training but also a lot of absenteesAFP Arsenal missed Ben White, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu in their 1-1 draw at Fulham, and saw Oleksandr Zinchenko come off injured. Their defensive problems appear to have worsened as all five and another two players were not pictured in pre-match training. Jurrien Timber was their left-back against Fulham and Thomas Partey featured at right-back, with both playing the full match on Sunday. The duo were not spotted at their London Colney training ground on Tuesday though, leaving Arteta potentially even lighter on defenders for the visit of Monaco. Arteta addressed the injury issues in his press conference and said: “We have to manage a lot of the players. Some of them will not be fit and available for tomorrow, some of them are still a doubt. “We still have 24 hours to make those decisions and hopefully the right ones.” William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney are Arsenal’s only senior defensive options for Wednesday. Tierney could therefore make his first appearance for the club in 16 months with a start at left-back, with youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly also an option. Tierney has not played competitively since he tore his hamstring in Scotland’s second group game at the European Championship in June, and was loaned to Real Sociedad last season. His last appearance in an Arsenal shirt came in the 2023 Community Shield penalty shootout victory against Manchester City. “He is ready, he’s training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure,” Arteta said of Tierney. “The way the team is looking at the moment, he is going to do that for that reason and because he’s earned it. The way he’s behaved, the way he’s been with us because he’s willing to do it and when that happens, you have to give those opportunities to players.” Timber was not spotted during the sessionGetty Neither was Partey, with Arsenal lacking in options at the backGetty Kiwior may be set to partner Saliba at centre-back as he did against Fulham, though the right-back selection will likely prove tough. White, Calafiori, Timber and Partey have all played there for Arsenal this season but look doubtful against Monaco. Academy star Josh Nichols is named in their Champions League squad as a B list player so may be given a surprise call-up. Arsenal do not appear to have any injury concerns across the rest of the pitch as they look to bounce back from the draw at Fulham. They sit 7th and above Monaco ahead of the match at the Emirates Stadium, albeit on goal difference. Arteta’s side have won three of their five Champions League matches and most recently thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Once the full-time whistle blows on Wednesday, Arsenal will have to wait over a month to return to European action. They will face Dinamo Zagreb and Girona in their final two fixtures of the league phase in January. Arsenal must finish in the top eight to advance to the last 16, with a final standing of 9th to 24th meaning a two-legged play-off. talkSPORT BET Offer Bet £10 And Get £30 In Free Bets CLAIM HERE T&Cs: 18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app & bet £10+ on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly Check out all the best free bets and offers from talkSPORT and our partners
Arsenal had seven defensive players absent from training on Tuesday – opening the door for Kieran Tierney to return to the team.
The Gunners host Monaco on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT, in their final Champions League fixture of 2024.
Arsenal missed Ben White, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu in their 1-1 draw at Fulham, and saw Oleksandr Zinchenko come off injured.
Their defensive problems appear to have worsened as all five and another two players were not pictured in pre-match training.
Jurrien Timber was their left-back against Fulham and Thomas Partey featured at right-back, with both playing the full match on Sunday.
The duo were not spotted at their London Colney training ground on Tuesday though, leaving Arteta potentially even lighter on defenders for the visit of Monaco.
Arteta addressed the injury issues in his press conference and said: “We have to manage a lot of the players. Some of them will not be fit and available for tomorrow, some of them are still a doubt.
“We still have 24 hours to make those decisions and hopefully the right ones.”
William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney are Arsenal’s only senior defensive options for Wednesday.
Tierney could therefore make his first appearance for the club in 16 months with a start at left-back, with youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly also an option.
Tierney has not played competitively since he tore his hamstring in Scotland’s second group game at the European Championship in June, and was loaned to Real Sociedad last season.
His last appearance in an Arsenal shirt came in the 2023 Community Shield penalty shootout victory against Manchester City.
“He is ready, he’s training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure,” Arteta said of Tierney.
“The way the team is looking at the moment, he is going to do that for that reason and because he’s earned it. The way he’s behaved, the way he’s been with us because he’s willing to do it and when that happens, you have to give those opportunities to players.”
Kiwior may be set to partner Saliba at centre-back as he did against Fulham, though the right-back selection will likely prove tough.
White, Calafiori, Timber and Partey have all played there for Arsenal this season but look doubtful against Monaco.
Academy star Josh Nichols is named in their Champions League squad as a B list player so may be given a surprise call-up.
Arsenal do not appear to have any injury concerns across the rest of the pitch as they look to bounce back from the draw at Fulham.
They sit 7th and above Monaco ahead of the match at the Emirates Stadium, albeit on goal difference.
Arteta’s side have won three of their five Champions League matches and most recently thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1.
Once the full-time whistle blows on Wednesday, Arsenal will have to wait over a month to return to European action.
They will face Dinamo Zagreb and Girona in their final two fixtures of the league phase in January.
Arsenal must finish in the top eight to advance to the last 16, with a final standing of 9th to 24th meaning a two-legged play-off.
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