What a way for Kieran Tierney to bow out of English football ahead of his return to Celtic.
On Sunday, the final round of Premier League fixtures for the 2024/25 season were played, and Arsenal took on already-relegated Southampton at St Mary’s.
Ever since Tierney returned from injury in December, he has mainly played a bench role under Mikel Arteta, and many were wondering if he would feature on the final day.
The Arsenal boss didn’t just give the Celtic hero minutes, but he started him at left-back, so he could bow out in the best way possible.
What was even better is that Tierney proceeded to open the scoring.
The ball was flashed across the six-yard box by Ben White, and who was there to tap home from close range? Tierney, of all people, like Henrik Larsson in his prime.
Arsenal fans react as Kieran Tierney scores against Southampton ahead of Celtic return
Tierney is still a popular player at Arsenal, despite falling down the pecking order in recent times, and injuries disrupting his progress.
It just goes to show the character of the 27-year-old that he is valued so much.
But what is going to be Arsenal’s loss will be Celtic’s gain, as Tierney was lauded and applauded on social media by his supporters.
@now_arsenaI with a brilliant tribute for Tierney: ‘What a great bloke. He deserves to score on his final ever game for the club. Kieran Tierney. We’ll remember you ❤️’.
What will be Celtic’s gain will be Arsenal’s loss, as @GoonerEurychus adds: ‘Kieran Tierney will be greatly missed at Arsenal’.
@livzledgee says Tierney deserves this moment: ‘If one man deserves a goal its Kieran Tierney last ever game for Arsenal what a guy’.
@PatrickTimmons1 continued that theme: ‘Kieran Tierney scoring on his final Arsenal appearance. Nobody deserves it more’.
The emotions continued as @DailyAFC added: ‘KIERAN TIERNEY SCORES ON HIS FINAL GAME FOR THE CLUB!!! ❤️🥺’
What a way to bow out, as @AaronAndHounds added: ‘Love seeing Kieran Tierney go out like this!!’.
@afc_winter used three words: ‘What a player’.
Another fan who will miss Tierney, as @BreffeiK stated: ‘Gonna miss this lad so much’.
@YouMeAt__69 wants an extension: ‘Can’t we extend him. Such a great option to have off the bench and been fit for most of the season’.
Another fan who doesn’t want Tierney to go, as @atigaragz added: ‘How dare you letting him go’.
Tierney’s stats against Southampton
What added the cherry on top of the cake to Tierney’s goal is the fact that Arsenal secured a late win over already-relegated Saints.
Tierney played over an hour and was subbed off, with his skipper, Martin Odegaard, going on to score the winning goal.
WhoScored rated the left-back’s display at just under eight.
| Goals | Key Passes | Aerials Won | Dribbles | Clearances | Touches | Rating |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 63 | 7.63 |
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