Ahead of Arsenal’s Friday night clash with Aston Villa, Kieran Tierney sat down with Sky Sports for a quick chat about Arsenal’s season so far, what motivates him, his leadership qualities and the toughness of Premier League opponents.
We’ve transcribed some of the best bits below. For the full interview, see here.
On Arsenal’s season so far…
I think everybody knows it wasn’t the start we were looking for. We had a bad start, we were bottom of the table after three games and it’s not good enough for Arsenal. Since then, we’ve picked up a bit of form, we’ve got a few wins, a few clean sheets. It’s never going to be plain-sailing, you’re never just going to hit form and then that’s you for the season. there are going to be ups and downs, we just need to make sure there are more ups.
On his performances…
I’m always motivated, whatever the game, even training I’m motivated but you need to realise who you’re representing. You’re representing all these fans who pay good money to go and watch the games. They give up their time, they give up their weekends, weekdays as well, so you know that the very least you can do is try and make them proud, so if I give 100 per cent each game, that’s all I can do and guarantee.
On being a captain…
I feel as if I’ve learned off some great leaders. I always go back to Scott Brown, I think he’s the perfect example of a leader. He was born to be a leader, what he’s done in his career and how he carried the team for years and years, I learned off him. I came here and there are leaders here that I’m learning off as well and at Scotland as well. I’ve been lucky enough to captain Celtic and Scotland at a young age, it’s something that, of course, would be an honour to captain your national team or the club you’re playing for. I just need to concentrate on giving 100 per cent. You can still be a leader without the armband.
On Arsenal developing leaders and it coming through against Palace…
I think the biggest thing with that was the team spirit in the team as a whole. It was the people who came off the bench, you’ve seen Lacazette when he came off the bench, the reaction of the fans, Martinelli as well, it’s not just the people who start, it’s a full squad and it could be anyone coming on who could change the game. The team spirit is incredible. We watched a clip and it was Aubameyang pressing someone near the end and there was Ainsley, warming up, encouraging him, shouting, cheering. I think that’s exactly what we need and we’re going in the right direction.
On Villa posing another challenge…
The biggest thing about this league is there’s not an easy game, home or away. It doesn’t matter how your form is either. Most weeks there’s always a surprise, there’s always something. Everybody can beat everybody. Everybody has a top-quality side and on their day they can be brilliant. It’s going to be a tough game, we know we’ve not beaten them in a while so we know how tough it’s going to be.
On the young players…
I remember one of the first things I was saying was how good the young players were when I first came. They’ve just grown even more, become better players and it’s clear to everyone how important they are to this team.
Tierney’s attitude is always impeccable! Having watched him carefully over the last two matches I think it’s not about a dip in form but being coached to play into the centre channels a lot more. Somehow it’s not working yet…
I also think that we are a more balanced team in terms of quality now. Plus teams have twigged onto his awesomeness. But it’s always worth remembering that every time Kieran makes that steaming run forwards, he’s taking a man with him. And sometimes that’s enough to allow The Smith or Saka to get some space. I was watching Cancelo overlap against Burnley and it was clearly something Burnley were looking out for. But every time they put a man on him, City came inside and found space further infield. You might look at that game and think that Cancelo… Read more »
One of the problems with watching most–or all–matches on television, as I do, is that you almost never see those runs. And even more so for defending: you don’t see a passing lane that’s closed off so that the opposition have to pass backward, you don’t see the positional play of the back four that prevents the opposition number 9 from affecting the game.
Stay of the day; Chelsea have 15 different goal scorers this season so far. Arsenal have scored 14 goals in total, 9 in the EFL cup.
Actually 16. I think my memory tried to wipe out Monday night
Go take your negativity to a different place. We’re not interested here
Wish we had more like him at the club
Not sure that is what Niles wants to hear.
It maybe worth trying Niles and Lokonga together for the cup game.
Partey needs some time out