If Romano is right, ‘outstanding’ player may be entering his final months at Arsenal due to lack of playing time
The Scottish defender was, at one point, seen as one of the brightest young full-backs in world football when he was breaking through at Celtic, and while he’s been very handy at Arsenal, he’s not quite lived up to expectations.
He’s fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium this season after the arrival at Oleksandr Zinchenko, and it seems as though Mikel Arteta doesn’t quite trust him how he used to.
Unfortunately for Tierney, the left-back spot at Arsenal may be about to become even more congested as Fabrizio Romano claimed on the House of Champions Podcast that the north London will keep hold of Nuno Tavares once his loan spell is over.
“I think Nuno Tavares has a good chance to stay, because Arsenal always trusted him,” Romano said.
“Last summer, Atalanta wanted the player on loan with an obligation to buy clause, and Arsenal said no because they wanted to keep the player for the long-term.
“He’s doing very well, and there’s a chance for him to stay in the Arsenal squad next summer.
“Personally, today I think Nuno Tavares is one of the best left-backs in Europe.
So, he’s a very good player, a very important player and this is why I think Arsenal will give him a chance next summer.”
Simply put, this is bad news for Tierney.
Tavares could well be coming in as the number two left-back at Arsenal, and if Tierney drops down to being the third-choice, one has to imagine that he’ll begin to look elsewhere.
It’s a real shame because Tierney is a brilliant footballer on his day – he’s been branded as ‘outstanding’ in the past, but the injuries have mounted and his confidence has been dented, and, ultimately, that may cost him his spot in this Arsenal side.
If Tavares is truly being earmarked for a return to Arsenal, the Scot may well be sold in the summer transfer window.
