Arsenal: 3 players whose return will change the team irreversibly

1. Kieran Tierney

The Scotsman has looked unquestionably brilliant on the left side of the defense. He is defensively solid, positionally intelligent, and he can whip in a cross better than anyone I’ve seen in an Arsenal shirt for a long time. His driving runs from deep, either over or underlapping, are very similar to Sead Kolasinac, but with a greater ability to accelerate, and far better ball control, the 22-year-old is undoubtedly the first choice left back.

His return would have a very similar effect to that of Hector Bellerin, simply of a greater magnitude. Many of the chances we have conceded in recent weeks have come off the left—when Kolasinac bombs high up the pitch, as he is wont to do, Xhaka has had to cover at left back, and while capable, he is hardly mobile or dynamic—and as a result, we have been very susceptible to the counter on that flank.

Tierney’s ability to break the press proved itself greater than that of any of our other defenders during his healthy spells. While he does not possess the top-speed of Hector Bellerin, he is very quick, and darts around people with ease.

He has also proven himself remarkably two-footed, and quick one-twos have become his route to success. His interplay with Aubameyang, Xhaka, and Guendouzi under Unai Emery was universally excellent. He has literally been dispossessed once in 11 appearances this season. He will bring stability and strength to this squad that we have not seen for a while.

Now, I did not include Pierre Emerick Aubameyang or Lucas Torreira in this article, and that is because they are known commodities under Mikel Arteta. We know how important they are. But these three players have not yet proven themselves on the field under the Spaniard, and I believe that when they do, they will elevate this squad to a plane we have not seen before.