Mikel Arteta's comments regarding his plan for Kieran Tierney have resurfaced after the Scotland international sealed his Arsenal exit by joining Real Sociedad on loan.
The Gunners boss was asked about the left-back's future following the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. Arsenal welcomed Nottingham Forest to the Emirates and ran out 2-1 victors, but Tierney played no part. In actual fact, the former Celtic man wasn't even named in the match-day squad.
The Scot hadn't featured in any of Arsenal's three league match-day squads prior to his temporary exit, which surprised many considering he featured against Manchester City at Wembley during the Community Shield. Jurrien Timber's long-term injury led some to believe that Tierney could have a chance at reviving his flatlining Gunners career, especially after Arteta's comments in the build-up to the away game against Palace.
Pressed for comment on whether Tierney was part of his plans moving forward, Arteta was cagey in his response as he replied: "Well, he played the Community Shield. How can a player that played five days before (the league started) not be in my plans?"
He was then asked if Tierney was left disappointed to not be part of the squad against Forest. Not in any mood to ease the tension, the Arsenal boss added: "I hope so." And yet, 10 days later, Tierney's season-long loan spell in Spain was confirmed, making Arteta's comments look particularly confusing.
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Speculation regarding a potential rift between Tierney and his Gunners manager has been rife in recent days, but the 26-year-old has actually taken the step of addressing the rumours and played down talk of a potential feud. "I left because last season I couldn't play a lot and what I wanted was to play a lot of games and I wanted to try to do it at Real," he told the media.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Have Arsenal made a mistake by letting Tierney leave? Comment below
Kieran Tierney has played down any suggestions of a feud at Arsenal (Real Sociedad TV)"I don't have any problem with Arsenal. Knowing that Real wanted to have me here, feeling all the love from the people here was very good. Being in the Basque Country, having the experience of living here and playing in La Liga, is something I am very proud of. I hope things will go very well for me here."
While some may have seen Tierney's exit coming, the general consenus among Arsenal fans at the moment is that when factoring in Timber's season-ending injury, the Gunners are a tad light in defence.
With that being said, time is running out if Arteta wishes to sign a replacement for Tierney. The Arsenal boss will have to find someone within the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window.
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