Arsenal: Kieran Tierney a bonafide bargain

Kieran Tierney made his third start under Mikel Arteta in Sunday’s win over Sheffield United. After an injury-ravaged first year at Arsenal, the new signing is now proving that he is a bonafide bargain.

There was growing concern that Arsenal might have wasted yet more money in their summer spending spree. Dani Ceballos’ performances had tailed off, Nicolas Pepe was yet to deliver on his enormous price tag, William Saliba had spent the year on loan at St. Etienne, while the best performer was an 18-year-old Brazilian who no one expected anything from.

Amidst this worry regarding the team’s spending was the £25 million shelled out on left-back, Kieran Tierney. The transfer was widely heralded when it was eventually completed last summer, but Tierney has hardly featured in his first season at the club, dealing with an array of injury issues.

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He arrived recovering from a sports hernia operation. Following his return to action, he dislocated his shoulder in a December win over West Ham United. Just as he was beginning to make his way back into senior training, the season was suspended due to the coronavirus. Prior to the league’s restart, Tierney had played just 743 minutes in all competitions. He had made just five league appearances and played the full 90 minutes just once in those five matches,

However, since the season’s return, Tierney has been fully fit and used as a major part of Mikel Arteta’s set-up. He played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City, and was one of only several players to hold his own against the champions. He then started a week later against Southampton, producing an excellent performance in a conservative left-back role, tidy in possession and solid defensively, before moving into a left wing-back role against Sheffield United on Sunday, this time showing off his offensive contributions.

In his press conference following the United victory, Arteta expressed his happiness with Tierney’s performances and forecasted improvement in the future:

"“He’s been training incredibly hard though [the lockdown for] COVID-19, it’s been a tough moment for him in the last six or seven months and to move here from a different city, a different football club. He is a kid with an incredible attitude and he is so willing to learn and to put in everything he has. He has a massive heart and I am delighted to have him in the team. He’s a kid who is going to get better and better and better.”"

The concerns that Arsenal had thrown another £25 million down the drain were fair ones. While half a season is far too early to judge the value of any transfer, Tierney arrived at the club with injury worries. His fitness problems were nothing new. The club was aware of the potential pitfalls.

However, as his recent outings prove, when fit and firing, he is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. Brilliant in possession, rarely beaten defensively, playing with a fire and ferocity that the team has lacked for so long, Tierney has displayed the quality and character that so many extolled of him before he came to the club.

The Celtic star has been excellent since the league’s restart. And at £25 million, he looks like a bonafide bargain.