Arsenal Transfers: Kieran Tierney heading to Real Sociedad on loan

Arsenal have failed to find a buyer for Kieran Tierney and are instead sending the Scottish left-back on loan to Real Sociedad for the 2023/24 campaign.

After being usurped by Oleksandr Zinchenko last season, Tierney was expected to leave the club this summer in a bid to earn regular minutes elsewhere. The former Celtic man featured throughout Arsenal’s pre-season with his professionalism exemplary throughout the summer, but he was left out of Mikel Arteta’s first two Premier League matchday squads.

Tierney’s omissions rendered a move before the end of the window inevitable, and Arsenal had hoped they’d be able to strike a deal with Newcastle for his sale. The Magpies, however, instead opted to pursue and sign Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall, narrowing down Tierney’s options.

Kieran Tierney heading to Real Sociedad on loan

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While Arsenal have failed to engineer a permanent sale, they are sending Tierney to La Liga outfit Real Sociedad for the 2023/24 season.

Fabrizio Romano writes that the Gunners left-back has agreed to join La Real and will undergo a medical in the coming days before sealing a move. No buy option has been included in the deal, with the Spanish club covering the player’s salary until next June.

Tierney should emerge as Real Sociedad’s starting left-back from the get-go and aid the club’s pursuit of a top-four spot.

However, many have queried why Arsenal have allowed the 26-year-old to depart on a temporary basis. Sociedad covering the player’s salary is obviously handy, but the Gunners aren’t getting much out of letting Tierney leave for a single season. It didn’t appear as if the player was forcing the club’s hand despite his desire to play regularly, and Arsenal may have been better served keeping him for the current season given Jurrien Timber’s long-term injury and Zinchenko’s own fitness woes.

Nevertheless, I wish KT the best of luck out in Spain, and the club will undoubtedly hope that a fine season in La Liga will further increase his value ahead of a re-evaluation next summer.