Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Kieran Tierney Keeps Tradition Going

Arsenal need left back help this summer and if a fix-all solution isn’t going to happen, the a solid competitor like Kieran Tierney could do the trick.

Arsenal’s left back situation has become one of the least reliable of any other position on the pitch. Last summer seemed like the most logical time to load up on Ricardo Rodriguez and do away with the mediocre competition that Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs were engaging in.

And this season has only reinforced that. Monreal has only gotten worse and while Kieran Gibbs has shown positive signs, Wenger won’t stick with him long enough.

Along with being a situation that is in minor turmoil, it is also one of the few positions where Wenger actually utilizes the internal competition that he often speaks of. Monreal and Gibbs play off of each other and the objective is that they are supposed to get better.

Well, as Monreal is 31 years old, he isn’t going to get much better. Gibbs still has some time, but it’s time for new blood.

Staying in the tradition of left back, rumors are now picking up that rather than going big or going home with a big time signing like Rodriguez or dare I even say David Alaba, the ideal target is instead 19 year old Kieran Tierney.

The Celtic left back is going on to bigger and better things this summer and Wenger has made his interest known that he wants to stick with tradition and simply bring in a competitor for Gibbs without outright replacing him.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Which, honestly, isn’t the worst idea in the world, especially with the upside that Tierney has.

Gibbs has a ton of talent himself, but it’s always a dicey situation to rely on him given his injury problems. So having this secondary option behind Gibbs lessens that burden mightily. It might even bring out the best in Gibbs too.

Tierney has that coveted speed that both Gibbs and Hector Bellerin have that allows him to slip past opposing fullbacks and be that unmarked weapon in the box. It has led to him being a mainstay with the Scottish powerhouse, which, at such a young age, is nothing to shirk at.

The Scot racked up six assists last year, which, again, let the numbers speak for themselves. Bellerin puts up those kinds of numbers and the game has long been simply balancing out the fullbacks, allowing Bellerin to have an equally viable weapon opposite him.

Next: 5 Players Who Will Love Life Under Allegri

Tierney can grow into that. Or, it’s not like it would be that shocking to see such a young man take over the role. Bellerin did it, after all.

Home/Arsenal Transfer Rumours