Arsenal: 3 things Kieran Tierney must improve to cement starting role

3. Staying Fit

This is stating the obvious, but it still has to be said. Tierney’s Arsenal career has been marred by a series of niggles and issues, interspersed with longer stretches off the pitch, due to a hernia and a dislocated shoulder.

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

And despite his obvious drive to get back and get playing—he started on-field workouts during the camp in Dubai, two months ahead of schedule—he does need to be careful. The position of fullback is one growing in importance and stature in the modern game, and he’s got the potential to be among the best. To do so he needs to stay healthy.

In addition, his style of play is tireless and industrious, injecting energy and speed into the side from kickoff to the final whistle, and he’s showcased that with his constant runs, in the few games he has played. To maintain that, you cannot be injured constantly; match fitness of that level must be built up over a number of weeks.

Finally, having a healthy Tierney allows the rest of the team to function at maximum capacity and ability—there were some matchweeks before the break where the game was crying out for Bukayo Saka’s versatility at the left-wing position, but he was unable to provide because he was stuck at left back.

On to number two, which is a small tweak, but important.