Kieran Gibbs has urged Arsenal not to sell Kieran Tierney when the 2023 summer transfer window re-opens.
Following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer, it has pushed Kieran Tierney to the bench and restricted his game time during a season where Arsenal were sitting at the top of the Premier League table for large parts.
Despite Mikel Arteta’s side falling off, it still doesn’t hide the outstanding season Zinchenko has had, which keeps Tierney as number two, but Gibbs doesn’t want him to go because ‘he has the capability of performing at a high level’, as he told ESPN.
The signs suggest that Tierney might just leave because he was benched for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out, despite Zinchenko being injured.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are seemingly keen on the 25-year-old – they recently secured Champions League football for next season.
If that transfer comes about, then it means Arteta needs to find another left-back and Gibbs warned that it’s going to be difficult to bring in another top performer.
“I think the way Mikel (Arteta) wants to play, it may not suit Kieran (Tierney) as much as it does Zinchenko,” said Gibbs
“So, that answers the question, in that respect (Do you sell Tierney?). Then you are going to need to get somebody else in. It’s tough to go and find another Zinchenko that can basically play in midfield and is that versatile and fits that style
“I wouldn’t want Kieran to go because I think he has the capability of performing at a high level in his position. I think Zinchenko is good enough defensively. But he shouldn’t have to do that much if Arsenal are that good. It’s the same conversation with Trent.”
TIERNEY SHOULD TAKE UP NEWCASTLE OFFER
It’s Champions League football, more game time and a team on the up rather than one looking over their shoulder.
Plus, the Scotland international suits Howe’s style more than what Arteta wants him to do.
He wouldn’t be dropping a level because he is leaving one team in the Champions League to join another, so for the betterment of his career, a transfer to St James’ Park would be the wise move.
