Life at Arsenal has been rather interesting for Celtic hero Kieran Tierney.
The left-back has been hit with injuries ever since he joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019, and it resulted him losing that regular starting berth under Mikel Arteta.
But, one thing you can’t throw into the face of Tierney is his lack of availability in recent times because, since December, he has been ready to go for his manager.
That included this past week, where Arsenal have been taking on PSG in the Champions League semi-finals – the second leg takes place in Paris on Wednesday night, 7 May.
Bearing that in mind, you would presume that Tierney would get a shot of the action, especially in the Premier League, where Liverpool have already been crowned champions.
But think again, as Arteta’s call, especially on Saturday evening, hasn’t sat down with the Arsenal faithful, and it involves Tierney.
- READ MORE: Celtic told what Greg Taylor doesn’t want to do ahead of Kieran Tierney’s return from Arsenal
Arsenal fans annoyed with Mikel Arteta’s call on Celtic hero Kieran Tierney following defeat to Bournemouth
Tierney will join Celtic in the summer on a free transfer, and it’s something many in Glasgow are looking forward to.
But, in the meantime, for the second game running, Tierney watches on from the bench as Arsenal were beaten by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday evening at the Emirates.
Despite the PSG game around the corner, Arteta played his strongest possible XI, and it frustrated and annoyed the fans, including leaving players like Tierney on the bench.
@georgesassou is annoyed: ‘Arteta doesn’t play a Tierney who has that profile so don’t bother’.
You can also add @mubmaks to that list: ‘Everyday it’s context with this guy. I’m so tired of him. Tierney and Zinchenko are very serviceable players use your squad. Nwaneri has played less than 10 mins of football the past 2 games what are we doing?’
Arteta’s call not to start Tierney isn’t going down well, as @NiftyArsenal added: ‘We could have comfortably started Nwaneri, Zinchenko/Tierney and Sterling but you chose not to. Use your squad diligently, Mikel.’
@muh_kharji thinks Tierney could have been a game-changer: Still questionable why we tend to only subs him and everyone when we chasing game? I believe him, Zinchenko and Tierney can change the game as well as control our lead.’
@Tatiana10afc added: ‘No excuses. Ethan, zinchenko, Tierney, sterling should’ve started’.
@marspizzle raised a very good point: ‘I mean what’s the essence of Nwaneri, Tierney, Zinny etc.. on the bench if you don’t get to use them at crucial moments like these. C’mmon! let’s do better’.
@RKOARSENAL had a message for Arteta regarding KT: ‘We have Sterling, Ethan, Zinchenko, KT that could and should have all started. The only position where we cannot rotate is CB and GK.’
@1988critic asked a question: ‘How many minutes Zhenchenko has played? Tierney? Does #Arsenal wants to keep or sell?’
@SomethingRibald continued the theme: ‘Zinny, Ethan, Tierney and even Razzler’.
@Yormidey_Daniel feels Tierney isn’t being used properly: ‘In the end Arteta is to be blame as I think he doesn’t utilize his squad to full strength. Zincheko still has a lot to offer same as Tierney but they end up on the bench’.
Arteta still coming under fire, as adds: ‘Arteta didn’t rotate enough yesterday…some of those on the bench are no worse than a few in the starting line up: Tierney or Zinchenko should have started & MLS rested…He didn’t rotate and we still lost’.
@KingDiezel also added: ‘These are the kinds of games you start Nwaneri, Tierney and Zinny in midfield but Arteta na baby coach. All your star boys will never give 100% in a match like this when Wednesday is on their minds.’
Tierney’s minutes for Arsenal this season
To nobody’s surprise, Tierney is still a popular player with the Arsenal fans, and he has looked pretty good whenever he has been handed a chance.
That’s a good omen for Celtic and Rodgers ahead of next season because, at the age of 27, you are hoping there is more to come from the player.
But, the Scotland international can’t exactly do anything with his game if he isn’t on the pitch, as Arteta provides him with little game time.
| Games | Minutes | Starts | Off the bench | Unused |
| 17 | 370 | 4 | 13 | 19 |
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