I advised Arteta to part ways with him last summer, but he declined. Now, this player is a liability for us, and I refuse to pay the salary of someone who isn’t contributing to the team,” Arsenal’s owner has issued a final warning to Mikel Arteta to sell the £50m player who is causing unrest in the locker room—neither Gabriel Jesus nor Zinchenko.
Reports indicate that Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney is no longer part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans and is likely to leave the club in the upcoming January transfer window. After a disappointing loan at Real Sociedad, Tierney was expected to make a permanent exit last summer.
However, those plans were disrupted by a serious hamstring injury he suffered during Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Switzerland, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This injury prevented him from pursuing any transfer discussions.
Though Tierney has recovered, he has not appeared in any of Arsenal’s matchday squads this season, leading some to forget he’s still part of the team.
Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has stated that the 27-year-old left-back is no longer in Arteta’s plans and is likely to leave soon. In an interview with CaughtOffside, Watts said, “Kieran Tierney is NOT in Mikel Arteta’s plans anymore.”
Watts emphasized that there is no bad blood between Tierney and the club; rather, Arsenal has changed tactically, and Tierney’s traditional left-back style no longer aligns with Arteta’s system. He is still working on regaining full fitness after his hamstring injury.
Watts speculated that, had it not been for the injury, Tierney might have already moved to another club. He believes Tierney will likely seek a loan in January to get more playing time, with a permanent transfer anticipated in the summer.
Despite his injury struggles, Tierney is still a fan favorite among Arsenal supporters, many of whom have expressed frustration and disappointment over this development. One fan commented online, “It’s completely disrespectful for a player who was our best during tough times. It’s tough, but I get that this is just how it goes, even if some players seem to receive better treatment.” Tierney’s potential departure will signify the end of an important chapter for both him and his fans.
