Arsenal: The big Kieran Tierney problem

Arsenal have chased Kieran Tierney all summer. And I have been extremely positive about the move throughout. However, there is one big problem that has not been discussed enough: injury.

One of the longest-lasting Arsenal transfer sagas of the summer has involved Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney. The left-back position was viewed as a major weakness towards the end of last season, Unai Emery substantially hampered in his tactical selections because of the limited options, and it was expected that major investment would come this summer.

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And throughout the window, almost the only name to be linked with a potential north London move has been Tierney’s. It is as if Arsenal are not even interested in anyone else.

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I have been extremely positive about the proposed move. Tierney is young, relatively cheap, valued at £25 million, solves the position perfectly, and even has Champions League experience, despite having been playing in the Scottish Premier League throughout his career. For the most part, I have written about very few shortcomings regarding this transfer.

However, there is one major problem that has not been discussed enough, either by me or those in the media: injuries. For all of the qualities that Tierney boasts, he is currently dealing with two different fitness concerns, both of which could linger throughout the rest of the season and even the remainder of his career.

This week, Celtic manager Neil Lennon confirmed that Tierney is still trying to work his way back onto the football pitch:

"“Kieran started kicking a ball on Wednesday, but he’s still feeling some discomfort there. We’ll see how it is when things settle down because it’s a very unsettling time for him at the minute. The injury has compounded that frustration because he’s not 100 per cent right. He’s still injured and he’s rehabbing. He had a double hernia and he still has the Osteitis pubis problem so it’s a slow burner that one.”"

The hernia is not actually the big problem here. Although that is the more immediate fitness concern, Arsenal are not signing Tierney for the short term. They want him for ten years, not ten weeks. But the Osteitis pubis issue is a little more troubling.

It stems from inflammation after invasive surgery is very common in professional athletes. The problem with it is that it is long-lasting and can impact player’s fitness, sharpness and weekly availability throughout their career. It is not like a broken leg that, once fixed, should return to its prior condition. It can linger.

Investing £25 million in a player who has had a hernia operation and could suffer from lingering inflammation throughout his career is a little worrying. Does this mean that Arsenal should no longer sign Tierney? No, of course, it doesn’t. But it should provide a little caution.