April 05, (THEWILL) – Arsenal Scottish defender, Kieran Tierney, has been declared out of action for the rest of the season. He is expected to have surgery on his knee injury later this week, and he will be sidelined for several months.
There are also concerns that the 24-year-old may not be able to heal from his knee injury in time to compete in Scotland’s World Cup qualification play-off in June.
Mikel Arteta left Tierney out of the starting lineup for Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Monday, citing the Scot’s injury as “not looking good.”
Tierney had returned to Arsenal with a knee problem, according to Arteta, following his heroics for Scotland over the international break. The left-back started both of his country’s friendlies against Poland and Austria, scoring in the latter 1-1 tie.
Tierney had started Arsenal’s last 14 Premier League games, playing 90 minutes in all, but one of them, after suffering an ankle injury in the autumn. This season, he has made 25 appearances in all competitions.
Nuno Tavares was selected to start in place of Tierney against Palace, having already deputised for Tierney earlier in the season, although he was replaced after 45 minutes in a “tactical” alteration, according to Arteta. Granit Xhaka was then shifted to the left-back position.
Arsenal’s next match is at home against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, followed by a trip to Southampton on April 16.
Tierney’s lengthy absence will be a blow for Arsenal in their last lap fight for a top four finish in the 2021/2022 campaign especially with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur having a late season surge.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
