Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 key players to watch – Resurrection

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Matteo Guendouzi (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images)
Arsenal, Matteo Guendouzi (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 17: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is challenged by Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 17: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is challenged by Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images) /

4. Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney almost made his Arsenal debut against Manchester City. While the Scottish international has featured for the club previously, of course, having dealt with an array of injury issues during his first season at the club, it very much felt like this was the beginning of his career in north London. And he had to play a whole half of it out of position.

Tierney is a solid defender. He proved it by his work at left-back and then at centre-back. However, while he is a capable tackler and is positionally intelligent, he also loves to bombard forward, especially when he can deliver crosses into the penalty area. He is Arsenal’s best crosser of the ball, as evidenced by his limited action earlier in the season.

On Wednesday, he rarely got the chance to push forward. City dominated the ball and controlled the match. However, versus Brighton, Arsenal should earn a greater foothold in the game, which will provide Tierney with more opportunities to push into the final third. It will be fascinating to see how he performs under Arteta with more offensive freedom.