Arsenal: Kieran Tierney return heralds future success

Kieran Tierney is progressing well with his rehab as he nears a return early from a nasty shoulder dislocation. The Scotsman will completely change the Arsenal team.

Over Arsenal’s winter break, Kieran Tierney was pictured training with Mikel Arteta and later with the squad. His resurgence to health naturally sent many fans into a frenzy of excitement as they await the 22-year old’s return. And rightly so. He will entirely change the face of this team.

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Here’s what senior physio Shad Forsythe had to say about the young left-back:

"“We also have Kieran Tierney who is rehabbing a shoulder injury so there are quite a few things Kieran can do with the team, with the ball as long as he’s not really in contact right now, so it’s really important to bring all the players that we can to be here together as well. The great thing, if there ever is a great thing about having a shoulder injury versus a lower limb injury in football is that we run.Kieran’s probably going to come back in very, very fit and very in shape from a running perspective because he’s been doing tons of running or different patterns, ball work, things for his position specifically and also talking to Mikel and the coaches and building things that’ll have him ready to step in and perform in his position.”"

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This report is extremely promising for a number of reasons. First and foremost, Tierney will provide Arsenal with a complete left-back. There is very little Tierney cannot do, especially at peak fitness. He will offer a productive outlet going forward, a solid presence defensively, and most importantly, a very skilful body in transition. That alone is a delicious prospect.

Furthermore, he has had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s best coaches on his technical skill, defensive positioning, position-based drills, and best of all, he’s worked with Arteta specifically about tactics and style of play.

What does that all mean? Well, he will likely be faster, sharper, stronger, more composed, and better tactically than we have ever seen him before. He has taken these three months of absence to mould himself into a well-rounded, complete left-back. And at only 22, he could be that everpresent defender for a decade or more.

Tierney’s return rounds out the defense, augments the attack, and sets a spotlight on the future. And it all stems from his work ethic. After suffering a sports hernia in the summer, it would have been easy for Tierney to crater after dislocating his shoulder upon his return. But instead, he used the lengthy absence to work on his physical condition, further adapt himself to his new team, and round out his game.

His return from injury, coupled with the photos and videos of his work, along with tales of his determination and drive, all capped off by his clear desire to get healthy again, all paint a picture of a man who will stop at nothing to play and excel at the highest level. No more can be asked of a professional footballer.

Fans have oft-criticised Arsenal players for their lack of work-rate and languid attitude, both on and off the pitch. Tierney flips that on its head. He is a consummate player, but more than that, he is an absolute workhorse, which is a precious characteristic in the increasingly empty modern game.

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Tierney is the future, plain and simple. He will get his chance in the sun, and when it comes, the world had best be bracing itself. Tierney is working his hardest to make the most of his time at Arsenal, and that makes him a very dangerous proposition indeed.

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