“I’m going to stay here for sure”: Former Arsenal star issues response on Emirates return talk to help Mikel Arteta team back to their form
Kieran Tierney reveals whether he will return to Arsenal in January as Mikel Arteta has suffered another injury in defense. Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, who started the season at full-back, have missed the last few months with injuries and Arteta has three other problems in that position.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has been able to fill in on both the right and left, although he has also struggled with injury problems, and his return to action in the 2-1 loss to Fulham last weekend came with his departure for the Asian Cup with Japan. Jakub Kiwior has started at left-back on several occasions this season, and last weekend the Polish international did so in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence.
“We don’t know,” Arteta said when asked about the Ukrainian international’s injury. “He felt something in his calf. Tomorrow we will check him and see how much he will miss in the games.” Following this news, it seems that Ben White is now the only suitable and available full-back for Arteta, but even that may not be the case.
Football.london understands that White has been struggling with a knee injury since the defeat to Newcastle in November, which is serious enough for him to miss next weekend’s clash with Burnley. The England international has continued to play with the problem, although it has affected his form as a less intense January schedule is in sight.
Given the major problems in defense, which are unlikely to be solved by a transfer, questions have been raised about Tierney’s possible return from a loan spell at Real Sociedad, but he himself has firmly rejected rumors of this.
“Several people have already asked me if I will return to Arsenal now, and the answer is no. I will definitely stay here. I will definitely stay here. As for staying here longer, it’s not my decision,” Tierney said. The Scottish international joined the Spanish club on a season-long loan in the summer after Arteta offered him minimal opportunities last season.
The 26-year-old has made 12 appearances in all competitions this season, but his campaign has been disrupted by injuries. However, with three 90-minute appearances in the last five La Liga games, with Sociedad sixth in the table, he seems to have overcome them.
