Mikel Arteta has admitted that fullback Kieran Tierney could leave the club in the summer after not seeing much gametime.
Tierney, 25, has started just four league games this season as he struggles to displace Oleksandr Zinchenko in an Arsenal team that looks pretty unstoppable right now.
Tierney’s lack of gametime has seen him linked with Newcastle, with Eddie Howe said to be a big admirer of the Scot, having previously tried to sign him at Bournemouth.
Speaking to Talksport when asked about his player, Arteta said: “I’m not thinking about that right now.
Kieran Tierney could leave Arsenal in the summer. Mikel Arteta: “I don’t know, I’m not thinking about it. I’m thinking about what’s best for the team”. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
“Players have the right to play minutes, which they all deserve, we’re going to try to do that in the next games”. pic.twitter.com/qO5ShTUZfh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 28, 2023
“I’m thinking about what’s best for the team and the players who earn the right to play minutes, that they all deserve.
“We’re going to try and do that in the next couple of games.”
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Tierney’s last start for the Gunners came on Boxing Day and he has played just one league minute in Arsenal’s last six games, so he will surely be looking at a move away from the club in the summer.
Tierney’s Arsenal contract runs out in 2026, so whoever tries to lure him away from the Emirates may have to pay a rather big fee.