Kieran Tierney could be the future captain of Arsenal according to the manager of the club, Mikel Arteta who described the left-back as a natural leader.
Kieran Tierney joined Arsenal from Celtic on August 8, 2019, for €27 million. Since the commencement of the 2020-2021 season, the defender has become one of the most important players in coach Mikel Arteta’s squad.
So far this season, the 23-year-old Scottish left-back has made 16 appearances in the Premier League, scoring a goal and providing two assists. Due to his passion to stop the flow of his opponents’ game, he has earned three yellow cards in the league this season.
While in all competitions this season, Kieran Tierney had made a total of 21 appearances, scoring just a goal and providing an assist.
His best days in the Premier League this season started on December 26, 2020, when Arsenal hosted Chelsea and defeated them 3-1. Since then, the club has maintained a steady rise up the league table.
Kieran Tierney’s most outstanding performance this season came on January 2, 2021, when Arsenal visited the Hawthorns to play West Brom. The London club stunned their host 4-0.
In the match, the Scotland international scored a solo goal in the 23rd minute which has kept most football pundits talking and has presented the left-back as Arsenal’s future superstar.
The run. The finish. The passion.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 3, 2021
❤️ @KieranTierney1#WBAARS pic.twitter.com/NzCgnVdyb7
Based on this, coach Mikel Arteta was asked whether the left-back who has captained his former club Celtic and his national team at some point, has the potential of doing the same at Arsenal, the coach said the Scottish footballer could.
“I think he can be because he has the respect and the admiration of every member of the staff and every player”, said Arteta ahead of the club’s FA Cup 3rd round match against Newcastle United scheduled for January 9, at 18:30.
“It’s just the way he is, he does it naturally”, the coach added. “He’s a really shy boy but I think he represents all of the values we want to install and that are in the DNA of this football club.
“He’s shy, he’s so humble as well. He came here and it took him a while, he had a really bad injury and he’s away from home, but he’s a natural leader.
“You see how he behaves on that pitch, and when he talks he says the right thing and it’s exactly what we’re looking for and I’m so pleased to have him in the team.
“In both phases [attacking and defensively] I think he can do well. He can still improve but at the moment he’s a real threat in attack and he’s been really solid defensively. It’s the type of contribution we need from our full-backs.”
Influential.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 3, 2021
👌 @KieranTierney1 pic.twitter.com/Bj5zG1kM8J
Arsenal are currently sitting on the 11th spot after three games winning streak which lifted them from being 4 points away from the relegation zone to being 12 points away from the danger zone and 6 points away from the top four.
