%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
There was a point not too long ago when Kieran Tierney was an irreplaceable cog within Mikel Arteta’s framework.
The Spaniard’s system, which has since evolved, once focused on freeing up the marauding Scot down the left flank. He was given the licence to roam into the opposition’s third relentlessly, with his crosses high up the pitch proving a key source of chance creation.
Those, however, were pretty dark times in Arteta’s tenure. The Gunners were often predictable in possession, and Tierney was never productive from an attacking standpoint. The left-back is yet to register more than four goal contributions in a single Premier League campaign.
Nevertheless, Tierney’s importance was distinct and his absence was hard felt down the stretch last season.
However, times have changed and evolution has left the Scot in the cold. The addition of Oleksandr Zinchenko and the subsequent introduction of an inverted full-back has seen the Ukrainian thrive, and the somewhat technically limited Tierney fall behind. The 25-year-old’s minutes have been limited to just 525 in the league as a result, and it feels as if we’re reaching the conclusion of his time in north London.
3 potential destinations for Kieran Tierney this summer
The Scottish international is simply too good to be wasting away on the bench, and here are three teams that could snap him up this summer.
1. Newcastle
Newcastle, much like Arsenal, are well ahead of schedule. The Magpies reached the Carabao Cup final earlier this year and are in contention to secure a top-four finish that would return Champions League football to Tyneside for the first time in 20 years.
Eddie Howe’s squad is shaping up nicely, but there are a few holes. At left-back, local boy Dan Burn has exceeded expectations and some since joining from Brighton. But, can a club that wants to compete for the very highest honours be reliant on a player like Burn week in, week out?
Tierney is far from perfect, but Newcastle are said to be interested in signing the left-back in a deal that could be worth upwards of £30m this summer. The Scot suits the high-octane atmosphere of St. James’ Park, and he’ll initially provide healthy competition for Burn.
The 25-year-old certainly has what it takes to usurp the former Brighton man, however.
Continued on the next slide…
2. Aston Villa
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has brought stability to Villa Park following Steven Gerrard’s underwhelming reign. The Villans are set for a mid-table finish, but their ambitions are far loftier than that.
Villa have signed Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno in back-to-back January windows, but reports suggest they’re keen on bringing Tierney to Villa Park at the end of the season.
One of the aforementioned names would have to depart, you suspect, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Villa emerge as a serious contender for Tierney’s signature this summer.
They’re blessed with the requisite funds to facilitate a move, and we shouldn’t forget it was Emery who brought the Scot to the Emirates in the first place.
Continued on the next slide…
3. West Ham
While there’s a hint of a Scottish revolution in Serie A right now, it’s hard to envisage any of the Italian big boys making a move for Tierney this summer. Juventus perhaps could, but I don’t see it.
Thus, it’s likely that the Arsenal defender will remain in the Premier League should he move on at the end of the season. Newcastle appear to be strong contenders right now, while a switch to Villa would make sense were they to move on from Digne or Moreno.
However, another potential option is West Ham. The Hammers are enduring a wretched domestic campaign and will not want a repeat next season. Several squad issues need ironing out, but the left side of their defence has felt like a problem area for some time now.
Can Aaron Cresswell still cut it at the highest level? Is Emerson Palmieri a long-term solution? No is the answer to both of those questions.
West Ham need another refresh down the left flank, and Tierney could be a good fit should David Moyes retain wing-backs in his set-up. The Arsenal man is built for such a demanding function that requires bundles of energy and astuteness in both the attacking and defensive phases.