According to BBC Sport, Arsenal have agreed a £25 million deal with Celtic over the potential transfer of Kieran Tierney. The left-back will now travel to North London to discuss personal terms with the Gunners. Meanwhile, David Ornstein of the BBC tweeted last night that Tierney will have his medical at Arsenal on the deadline day, meaning the deal could easily be sealed before the transfer window closes.
Tierney will bring stability to the Arsenal backline
Unlike Sead Kolasinac, Tierney is advertised as a well-rounded left-back. He can provide offensive support on the flanks. But, at the same time, he is also aware of his defensive chores, which only bodes well for Unai Emery. The Spaniard has struggled due to his side’s lack of stability in defence, largely due to the absence of quality fullbacks.
Tierney, in that regard, should fix that problem with his smart positioning and willingness to win back possession for his team. Indeed, the 22-year-old knows exactly when to go forward. And he can do that without leaving too much space in behind. Even if he does, the Scot has the pace to recover to a comfortable defensive position – a trait that could make him an asset in the athletic nature of the Premier League.
Arsenal already boast the services of one attack-minded right-back in Hector Bellerin. The Spaniard loves to make bombarding runs into the opposition half. Tierney’s positioning and awareness, in that regard, should add more stability to the Arsenal backline.
He could offer tactical versatility
The presence of both Tierney and Kolasinac should provide Emery with tactical versatility as far as the defence is concerned. Tierney’s all-round qualities make him an ideal fit for a four-man backline. But, the Scot often struggles to cope with the wing-back system.
This is where Kolasinac comes into the fray. The Bosnian has an attacking mentality that enables him to thrive in the wing-back slot. That means Emery can effortlessly switch between his defensive setups due to the tactical versatility of both Kolasinac and Tierney.
David Luiz’s potential addition could be key
Aside from Tierney, Arsenal are also expected to complete the signing of David Luiz today. The Chelsea star could play a key role in Emery’s new-look defensive setup.
The Brazilian has tons of experience up his sleeves and is a prudent defender. But most importantly, he is a fierce leader, who is known for his aggression and tenacity. Same can be said for Tierney, who also has leadership qualities while his athleticism makes him one of the most talented left-backs in Europe.
These are undoubtedly exciting times for an Arsenal fan. And it will be interesting to see how these two perform at Emirates, should they join the club tomorrow.
