Arsenal rival Manchester City for signing of Kieran Tierney backup

Arsenal acquiring Kieran Tierney goes down as one of the best pieces of business concluded in the Emirates era to date. Having battled his way through injuries, come to terms with different managerial styles and off-field turmoil, there is now not a debate to be made for him not being in the top three left-backs in the Premier League.

That final statement is being fairly unkind, in truth.

But no matter how complete and well-rounded he is, nobody can bear the mantle of being the only senior recognised left-back at a club. Asked to perform every role in his position on a regular basis will have an impact on even the fittest and most injury-free footballers on the planet. He needs support.

It was the only blotch on an otherwise successful January transfer window. Arsenal opted against securing an ageing stop-gap and utilised Cedric Soares in the position, whose consistent performances have rightly earned him a spot in the Portugal national side for the first time since November 2018.

Arsenal rival Manchester City for signing of Kieran Tierney backup Josh Doig of Hibernian

Come the summer, Arsenal signing another left-back is essential. Obviously not to usurp Kieran Tierney, but to act as understudy and learn off the Scot.

On their list of targets is Hibernian’s Josh Doig, an 18-year-old full-back who’s earned rave reviews north of the border at a Hibs side comfortably sitting in third place. As per the Scottish Daily Mail, and relayed by HITC, Leeds and Manchester City are also in the hunt for the defender.

Doig just recently signed a new deal running until 2025, a development that supposedly won’t impact his chances of leaving at the end of the season, which are considered high. The report lists his price at £1.5m, which seems like an oversight given the new contract.

With just 34 senior outings to his name, the lack of experience adds risk to signing someone who would feature heavily in the early stages of cup competitions, so a loan back to Hibernian is mooted. If that’s the case then another stop-gap season-long signing would be needed, which doesn’t suit the Gunners’ extensive transfer to-do list.

He’s nonetheless the right profile. Adept at playing left wing-back or left-back, he’s an attacking operator with superb delivery, and of the right age. You don’t get linked with City if you’re lacking in certain facets.