Arsenal: 3 reasons Kieran Tierney should be named future captain

At Arsenal and among the fanbase there are controversial viewpoints in abundance. Whether it’s an opinion on a potential new signing or that a certain player staying isn’t a total disaster, what is agreed on is very little. There are no such divides when it comes to Kieran Tierney.

In the midst of scouring the transfer market for new additions all across the pitch, whoever does join is sure to get the same treatment most new signings get.

As witnessed with Gabriel last season, his strong start immediately endeared him to supporters and he was heralded as being among the best central defenders in the country. While he has the potential to be, he began earning criticism as the campaign wore on and the fanfare died down somewhat.

That just hasn’t happened with Tierney.

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Arsenal: 3 reasons Kieran Tierney should be named future captain after signing a new long-term contract with Mikel Arteta’s side

Arriving already injured, as is customary at Arsenal, battling back from his hip surgery it didn’t take long before he was cruelly forced to miss the following 12 Premier League matches with a dislocated shoulder. Nonetheless, during his injury-struck debut season he won over supporters almost immediately.

Knee problems limited the Scot to 26 top-flight starts last time out, but his stock among supporters has never been higher. In other words, we love him.

The current captain has come under his fair share of criticism over the past 12 months. Disregarding his wearing of the armband, performances that were a significant drop off from 2019/20 have seen his stock fall in tandem with Tierney’s rising.

Named as the captain in November 2019 after Granit Xhaka was stripped of the honour following his ‘disagreement’ with the fans, the decision to award him with the armband stemmed, it appeared, majorly down to his talent. Flashy in appearance but not of the Patrick Vieira or Tony Adams ilk, from the outside at least it appeared to be a case of the best player taking over the mantle.

Now, as Tierney has committed his future to Arsenal long-term, the calls for him to take over the role once Aubameyang departs is universally agreed upon. Here’s why.

1. Kieran Tierney Shows Accountability

One of the biggest critiques of Aubameyang’s tenure as Arsenal captain has been his unwillingness to stand up and be accounted for during the toughest periods.

This was no more evident last season during the horrendous November-December winless run, where the majority of the pre and post-match interviews were conducted by the likes of Bernd Leno and Tierney.

Even with interviews on the club website it was rarely ever the Gabonese striker who stood up to explain the difficulties, provide reasoning or reassure supporters that the team were putting in every effort to stop the rot.

His interview in the build-up to the North London Derby was particularly tough to watch.

Tierney, on the other hand, never shied away from the responsibility. Not afraid to admit he and the rest of the side weren’t performing anywhere near the level required, such accountability goes a long way to showing your true character and endearing yourself to the supporters.

Arsenal need people like that leading this club forward.