According to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol, Arsenal and Celtic are close to agreeing a deal for Kieran Tierney. The Gunners are failing to meet the Scottish club’s asking price by just two million euros. And while the defender is happy to stay at Celtic, he would be open to holding discussions regarding personal terms, should both the clubs manage to agree on a deal.
How could Tierney fit in at Arsenal?
Tierney will be expected to compete with Sead Kolasinac in the left-back slot. Kolasinac, who was recently a victim of an attempted carjacking, is currently the only reliable option for Arsenal in the said position. As for Nacho Monreal, he has struggled with injuries and is nearing the final phase of his career.
Therefore, Tierney’s potential addition to the club could be somewhat necessary for Unai Emery if he is to deal with such a long and strenuous schedule of English football. And the recent seasons have shown that team rotations have become a key factor, especially for a big club like Arsenal – making the Scot a sensible transfer target for the Gunners.
Tierney is an upgrade over Kolasinac
Tierney is a well-rounded fullback when compared to Kolisinac, who heavily relies on his quality going forward. The Celtic star can offer a lot on the table for Arsenal, including his leadership qualities. Indeed, the 22-year-old has the potential to become a fierce leader in the future, thanks to his aggression and tenacity that is coupled with his willingness to work hard for his team.
Kolasinac, in contrast, is more of a gifted wide-player. As a matter of fact, he can even feature in an advanced midfield role, which is indicative of his attack-oriented gameplay. That means the Bosnian international is prone to leaving spaces in behind the defence.
Furthermore, the ex-Schalke defender hasn’t been a first-team regular since joining Arsenal in 2017. He even failed to surpass the 2,000-minute mark in the league last term, mainly due to an early knee injury that kept him out for almost two months. Tierney, to that end, has made 170 competitive appearances for Celtic, at the age of just 22.
From a tactical aspect, the Hoops’ defender can instil more stability to the Arsenal backline when compared to Kolasinac. His well-rounded qualities in the left flank should complement the attack-minded nature of right-back Hector Bellerin. That means Tierney can be utilised in a slightly deeper role. His pace and ability to cover ground quickly would make Emery’s men much more resilient when dealing with counter-attacks.
Besides, Tierney is considerably younger and has room to improve and become a vital asset for the club within a few years – making him an upgrade over his Bosnian counterpart.
