Arsenal: Kieran Tierney problems not nearly as bothersome as expected

Arsenal brought in Kieran Tierney with high hopes of the solution he would be, but injury setbacks are surprisingly not as problematic as they might have been.

With all the excitement swarming around the start of the Arsenal season, particularly in the play of Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe, you might be forgiven for not actively thinking about Kieran Tierney, and when he might be able to feature for the club.

It’s only two matches into the season, and the opponents “only” Newcastle and Burnley, but if you were to ask me to make a list of problems that need solving, it wouldn’t be a very expansive list. We need to figure out our best midfield, not just in terms of personnel, but in terms of shape, and we need to figure out the best shape for the attack (we already know the personnel).

Of course, defense continues to be a problem and we need to sort that out, namely freeing Calum Chambers to continue where he left off.

But leftback? Not a problem. I haven’t once this year though, “damn, I wish Kieran Tierney was healthy.” Sure I’m excited to have him, that goes without saying. But Nacho Monreal has filled in so well at the position that there has been zero drawback whatsoever to Tierney’s prolonged absence.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

It’s now being said that Tierney isn’t expected to return to training until October. And that sucks, as any injury typically will. But when you stop and think about it solely based on the evidence we have at hand right now, it’s far from the end of the world it might have been.

As said, Monreal has been tremendous in both matches. There’s always that chance he fades and I’m reprising this opinion next week, but even if that happens, Sead Kolasinac is perfectly serviceable, and I’m more optimistic in him than ever before.

While we wanted Tierney to be the present and the future, with how young he is, the key is to get him healthy enough to be the future in time to take over for Monreal. So basically, just get him healthy by the end of the year at the latest.

Even if Tierney isn’t healthy, I can’t help but think that his presence has sparked something in Monreal, and that Kolasinac will be feeling the same. It’s one of those whole “he may not be playing, but his impact is still felt” situations.