3 standout players from Arsenal’s kickabout against Brentford

2. Kieran Tierney

With Oleksandr Zinchenko’s transfer, several questions arose. What does Mikel Arteta think of Kieran Tierney? Has he fallen out of favour with the manager? Will he leave the club? Fortunately for Arsenal, Tierney has stayed at the club, waiting for an opportunity like this.

Zinchenko’s performances meant Tierney has been left to play as a sub and in the Europa League. With the Ukrainian’s injuries, however, Tierney has come back into the fold in the Premier League. Tierney comes into a role far different from the one that he played while a sure-fire starter. There were doubts about how he would perform in a more attacking side with technique and interchanging of positions required of the left back. Against Brentford, Tierney showed he can play that role well.

The Scot frequently took up positions on the interior, like his counterpart, and did so with great efficacy. He moved the ball well, using his weaker foot on occasion to break the press while still bombarding forward to great effect.

Tierney is clearly the better defender between him and Zinchenko. If he can consistently provide at least some of the fluidity Zinchenko does, he will get his starting spot back sooner rather than later.

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