Mikel Arteta quashed any fears that Kieran Tierney’s brief cameo in the 5-3 win over FC Nurnberg was due to injury, and was instead planned as a part of his comeback after knee surgery in April.
The left-back played just over 30 minutes before being replaced, leading to inevitable online speculation about his fitness. However, the Arsenal boss made it clear the Scottish international is being eased back to match sharpness, saying, “He’s been training really good.
“Obviously he’s been out for over three months now so we wanted to give him a proper warm-up, play the first half an hour and then get him out.
“So he was in good condition and there’s no issues there.”
The Spaniard was also delighted with the two goal haul for new signing Gabriel Jesus, who added plenty to the Gunners forward line as we came back from 2-0 down at half-time.
“He’s all energy,” said Arteta. “You see his enthusiasm, he’s always smiling, he’s always talking to his teammates and apart from that I think he brings a different level of desire and commitment and enthusiasm, so I think it’s really good.
And on his goals, he continued, “That’s why we brought him here: to put the ball in the back of the net and obviously for his confidence and for him to believe in what we are doing I think it’s really important and he’s settled really well.
“I know him really well because I worked with him before and I know that there’s not going to be any issue there.”
Just stay fit.
“I think he brings a different level of desire and commitment and enthusiasm” — exactly what I was thinking. It was a pre-season match, but you could see how eager he was to press and work his socks off. He looks like he has challenged himself to prove people wrong and that can only be a good thing for us
Have to say I am eager to see him, Odegaard, and Martinelli pressing defenders. It’s going to be a sight!
Jesus is exactly what Arsenal needed to be saved from blunt attack. He alone is worth 9 points more from last season’s games: he could have turned 3 defeats into victory.
Nketiah too is looking the part. Kudos to Arteta and Edu for getting him to sign.
Elneny too looks keen to repay the faith in him.
One more body in midfield, and we are good to go.
I think Tavares may have a breakout season with us. The EL group games are tailor-made for him to get his groove back – him and Lokonga.
Let the season begin.
Heart of iron, body of glass