The papers have been talking about it for weeks now and the longer it drags on the more and more sceptical we all get on the matter but let’s just put that all aside for the moment and look at Kieran Tierney and why he would be the perfect fit for The Arsenal.
Who is he?
Kieran Tierney is a 22-year-old left back who plays for the dominant kings of Scottish football Celtic. He made his first-team debut back in 2015 against Dundee at the age of just 18 years old. He then went onto have his breakthrough season in Scottish football in 2015-16 season making 33 appearances in all competitions and constantly making high amount of appearances throughout the next three seasons at Celtic with his career high being in 2017-18 making 55 appearances while contributing four goals and eleven assists that season.
He has been in and out of the Celtic side this season due to injury but has still managed 40 appearances for the Hoops and helping them to a third treble in a row as they won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup. As well as his achievements at club level he is also now making a name for himself on the international stage as well with Scotland. He worked his way up through the Scottish under 18 and 19 sides before making his first-team debut in 2016 against Denmark in a 1-0 win for the Scots. He has gone onto earn 12 first team Scottish caps.
If you recognise the name and can’t think how then it is because in 2017 Arsene Wenger was interested in signing him to the club and was impressed with the skill of the young Scottish left back. An offer was never made as in 2017 he pledged himself to a new six-year contract at Celtic Park. Back then players such as Ian Wright openly came out and said about what a good signing it would be for the club to make and I would completely agree with that statement especially now with the style Unai Emery is wanting to play.
Fitting in at Arsenal
The reason why he would be a perfect fit for Arsenal is the fact that he is in a position that we so desperately need with Monreal and Kolasinac looking to be lacking behind in this Arsenal squad at the moment. I think that Monreal is past his best now and has been an excellent defender for us but it has to be a ruthless summer from the gunners and players who aren’t good enough need to go. Sead Kolasinac has been poor this season and is showing that when he picks the ball up in attack there isn’t any end product.
Tierney would fit straight into the first team and another reason why he would be a perfect fit is that he knows how to play as a wing-back as well. He has made a number of appearances at left wing and is a very attacking left back who has shown on a number of occasions that he has a good end product and with the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette in the box this is exactly what Arsenal need to help provide a better service to our two world-class strikers as well as at the same time helping to sort out a broken defence too.
He has drawn the comparison to his good friend and fellow Scottish teammate Andrew Robertson of Liverpool. He came in from Hull and for just £8 million and is now quite frankly one of the best left-backs in the world at this moment in time. Tierney’s attacking and defensive skills would be a real asset to have at the club and would be a very important signing to land but now let’s look at the ongoing talks and whether or it is going to happen.
The rumours
The newspapers are suggesting that Arsenal will have to go in with an offer of around £25 million to get Kieran off Celtic but Arsenal are yet to match that offer that valuation. A report from the Telegraph has backed up the valuation claim but Arsenal are only willing to pay £20 million. If this is the case, then Arsenal should up the price and pay what Celtic want for a top-quality player.
This rumour has been ongoing now for several weeks and it is crucial that Arsenal get this first deal done to excite the Arsenal faithful and to also get a very capable young player in a much-needed position. People may argue that he has been playing in the Scottish division, but he has shown his ability on an international stage with both Scotland in World Cup qualifiers and with Celtic in Champions League and Europa League appearances.
To conclude, Kieran Tierney would be a perfect fit for Arsenal football club due to his ability and skill to play in a more advanced role as more of a left wing back which would work in Unai Emery’s three/five at the back formation as well as him being in a position where we vitally need a top-class player and he has just turned 22 which means he will remain a top player at the club for years to come. He is worth paying the extra money for and is a perfect fit for The Arsenal.
