According to various reports, Kieran Tierney will rejoin Celtic as a free agent in the summer.
The Telegraph reports that Everton, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla and Juventus have all held talks with the player’s representatives in recent weeks but after six years in London, incorporating a season on loan at Real Sociedad, the allure of home has proved difficult to resist.
Tierney moved to the Emirates for £25 million in 2019 and was rewarded with a new contract and pay rise two years later. It’s believed the 27-year-old has agreed significantly lower wages to return to Celtic Park although that should be offset by a signing-on fee.
It’s well-documented that injuries have been a major hindrance to the Scotland international since his move to London. However, it’s arguable that a change in playing philosophy under Mikel Arteta, and specifically his preference for an inverted left-back, has proved to be the player’s biggest obstacle in the last three years.
While there have been minutes in recent weeks, the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and last summer’s recruitment of Riccardo Calafiori suggest the Gunners are well set at left-back. Arteta can also call on the likes of Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior to provide further cover.
In all likelihood, the man who did the most damage to Tierney’s opportunities at Arsenal – Oleksandr Zinchenko – will also be on the move soon.
The Ukraine international has fallen out of favour and is tipped for a summer exit, although rumours have linked him with a move to Borussia Dortmund this month.
For a short period of time he looked like one of the faces of your team/project. I’ll forever be grateful for KT – what a good lad. Wish him all the best!
*our team of course
Absolutely, and he was for a while our most dangerous player. Him playing in the inverted role always felt a bit like training a Rhino to climb a tree instead of hiring a squirrel. But in the right system and without injuries he could still be a terrific player.
Wont ever forget that great goal in the snow against West Ham. We love you Tierney, good luck with the Brodge!
West Brom I think
Yes sorry, I couldn’t remember who snow goal was against, googled it and saw the west ham goal which I should’ve watched beacause it’s that great right foot effort. It was west brom with that low drive with his left.
Was that not West Brom? I may be misremembering, but I thought it was at the Hawthorns.
Pleased he’s returning home. Wish we could have got more out of him at Arsenal. Combination of injuries and playing style change really derailed his chances. Consumate pro though and let’s hope we can win something to crown off his final six months at the club.
Pleased, but I’m not sure about his decision making here, surely he can also return home when he’s 35. If clubs the size of Bayer, Seville and Juventus are knocking, it’s very strange that he wouldn’t want to play for them at a higher level, while he still can. The door at Celtic will always be open, for the others, it won’t.
All of them fear he won’t be available due to injuries.
Can’t wish him anything but the best – model professional and an excellent left back in a lot of systems. Hope he can go home and stay fit
Another Diaby, top player always injured.
One of my favorite Arsenal players of the modern era. Traditional left back, very dangerous crosses into the box, long throws and very quick and decisive ones. Quite a change from me yelling at our other fullbacks/TV screen “throw it quick you are about to get a useless booking” just before they get one.
It’s a shame injuries ruined his career both with us and elsewhere
Played a big part in winning the FA cup. Once a gunner always a gunner.
Really nice comments here regarding KT. We’re very fortunate if he comes back to us.
I thought KT and Martinelli was a great partnership.
It’s good to see that integrity still has a place in today’s corporate quagmire that is professional football.
A Champions League winners medal would be handy to take with him. That seems fair for a proper professional
I hope we’re leading by three in the final and he comes on for the last 20 minutes.
I can remember what a breath of fresh air KT was when he arrived, and also talk of him being a future captain. Injuries and playing style changes put paid to that but he never complained, he just continued to do his best.
Best of luck back up North to him.
I love this player. Arteta was wrong about him. He’s a fabulous player with great character. Such a professional too. Will miss him but wish him well back home. Will never forget that Tescos carrier bag and his determination to step up and take a game by the scruff of the neck when needed.
In fairness to Arteta, he was a big part of the team under him at first. It was those big injuries he always got in the second half of the season that really derailed his Arsenal career, and forced Arsenal to sign new left backs (although, of course, they all seem to be just as injured). It’s impossible to know whether Arsenal would have changed the left back’s role quite as significantly, otherwise. But these things happen in football – I don’t really think it’s anyone’s “fault”. I think that’s reflected in the seemingly good relationship he, the club, and… Read more »
did mikel critizize his character or professionalism?
Really hope he can stay fit and enjoy his career back in Glasgow. Quality player.
Kieran is a fantastic player and I am very disappointed to see him leave Arsenal he is a fantastic example of what a professional footballer should be he is a credit to himself his family and his country I wish him nothing but the very best
It’s not often players leave Arsenal with the fans wishing them well but this will be one of those times. Great attitude, never came out and complained. Himself, Xhaka, Elneny all seemed to be loved by everyone at the club.
Mikel has shown there’s a place for KT in the squad, in particular to close games out, so he could play a crucial role over the next few month. We all know he loves Celtic and it’s his home, I can’t help but think he should be playing at a much higher level than the SPL though. The fact good Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A are apparently interested suggests I’m not alone in thinking this.
He def can play at the higher level for a good few years more, but I suspect he knows his injury issues wont be vanishing.
At Celtic he’ll be given more benefit of the doubt and more patience than anywhere else.
I agree. Would have thought a shot at Leverkeusen and Bundesliga title would be intriguing .
Best type of player to have played for Arsenal, without becoming a legend, sadly.
Could he be an honorary legend? Ahaha. Someone who could have been…had it not been for. 🙂
Was very thankful for him in the early post Wenger era and Im glad he gets to return to his home, with no hard feelings from either Club and fans! Thats quite an achievement in itself.
Don’t I just love those shot/crosses of Tierney. Awesome professional ❤️❤️❤️
Top fella, shame injuries meant we never saw him be the player he really is. Perfect outcome for him, big up KT!