Arsenal provide crucial Kieran Tierney and Mat Ryan injury updates

Mikel Arteta has addressed the media about the potential involvement of both Kieran Tierney and Mat Ryan for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Supporters have held a collective breath since the moment Bernd Leno inexplicably handled outside the area against Wolves on Tuesday, a bizarre decision that rightfully resulted in his sending off.

The red card meant that Runar Alex Runarsson finished the 2-1 defeat in net, showing signs in his short spell in goal of the worrying aspects of his game that have been prevalent since his debut. Rash decisions on the ball are met with equal concerns with his hands.

Winter signing Mat Ryan has been unavailable to even train after suffering a muscle problem, leaving the daunting task of facing Aston Villa down to the Icelandic stopper. Yet, Arteta offered a glimmer of hope for the weekend with his latest update.

"“He has not been available to train yet, and Alex is available, so we will have the choice between the two of them for the weekend,” he told the official Arsenal website. “If Mat is able to train, and they are both fit, we will have a decision to make. If Mat is not fit, obviously Alex will be in goal.”"

It doesn’t look promising, although Arteta even hints that without training, Ryan could come in. It’s a nervous wait ahead of Villa Park where the Villans could we be instructed to shoot on sight. You wouldn’t blame them.

As for Kieran Tierney, the continuous niggles he’s suffering continue to concern. A variety of issues have befallen the left-back, with Arteta confirming the latest reason for him being sidelined is different to previous injuries.

Without providing a time-frame for his return, he simply stated that they’re monitoring his rehabilitation.

"He added: “No, it’s a different injury in this case. Kieran is a player that really pushes himself and he has to be able to perform physically at his best because he cannot help himself. Even in training he can’t help himself.“We are trying to manage him in the best possible way and find every possibility to give him the best chance to be fit as soon as possible, and we are here to support him as much as we can.”"

Given the outlook, Villa will seemingly come too soon. Fortunately, after the trip north Arsenal have an eight-day break until Premier League action returns, thus it would be risky to thrust Tierney back into action when he isn’t 100% fit when he has a period of recuperation shortly after.