Arsenal have started the new Premier League season with two wins and a draw, exactly the way they began their previous campaign. However, the manager is stuck with injury issues that have been the difference until now.
New summer signing Mikel Merino remains sidelined from a shoulder injury, Takehiro Tomiyasu continues to recover from a preseason setback, Martin Odegaard suffered a knock on international duty, and Gabriel Jesus awaits an early return this month.
Riccardo Calafiori’s minor injury gave a huge scare. Meanwhile, Declan Rice is suspended for the North London derby. Amid all the challenges, forgotten Scottish left-back Kieran Tierney is expected to return at least by October.
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The 27-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during the Euros, and it ended his hope for a summer exit. Manager Mikel Arteta revealed in August that Tierney could be out for a few weeks and the player has now started individual training. Hence, he might mark a return in October when Arsenal begin competing in other domestic leagues.
Kieran Tierney is back in training for Arsenal as he steps up his recovery from injury. pic.twitter.com/g1eCIhARbr
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) September 4, 2024
The Gunners have five left-back choices in Jurrien Timber, Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Tomiyasu, and Jakob Kiwior.
Arteta also used Myles Lewis-Skelly in pre-season games, and the youngster impressed the fans. Similarly, Tierney has his own strengths as he is a modern attacking full-back.
When will Kieran Tierney play for Arsenal in the upcoming months?
The North London outfit will face Bolton in the third round of the EFL Cup on September 25th. It will be too soon for Tierney to return for this clash. But the defender can feature in case the team proceeds to the fourth stage scheduled for October 28th.
Plus, the Gooners will compete in the Champions League, having six more games to play (four group stage games and two matches before the round of 16 tie). They play Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22nd, followed by matches against Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb on December 11th and January 22nd, respectively.
The Scottish star is registered for the UCL squad and can make a cut in these easier games. Arteta’s side will compete in the FA Cup third round, which will take place on January 11th or 12th. Tierney could be an important squad player in the domestic contests.
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However, some of these games will be played during the January transfer window period, and we can’t ignore the possibility of the left-back exploring a move away.
