Mikel Arteta Provides Update on Kieran Tierney’s Future at Arsenal Amid Transfer Interest

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Kieran Tierney’s future at the club amid transfer interest in the Scottish star this summer. Tierney, linked with a move to Newcastle United as well as his former side Celtic, has admitted that his future in north London is out of his hands.

The 26-year-old lost his place as Arsenal’s first-choice left back last term following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko – starting just six Premier League games. That has fuelled transfer speculation and it was thought that Arsenal were willing to listen to offers for Tierney.

Newcastle United Linked with Tierney

Newcastle have been strongly linked and were previously confident of signing the defender in a £30m deal – as the look to bolster their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League. More recently, Scottish champions Celtic have entered the race, with Tierney believed to be open to a move back to his boyhood club due to Brendan Rodgers’ reappointment as manager in Glasgow.

Arteta Shuts Down Talk of Move

Gunners boss Arteta, though, has appeared to shut down talk of a move over the player, who is under contract at the Emirates until 2026. Quizzed if Tierney was part of his plans for the 2023-24 campaign, Arteta said: ‘He is.’

‘He is in our plans, and as you said, he came on really well [on Saturday in a pre-season match against Manchester United]. It’s not the first time, every time he’s played in pre-season, he’s been really good. This is why we want to create competition in the team, raise the level of each individual and that’s going to be a huge benefit for the team to get to another level.’

Arsenal’s Summer Signings

Arsenal have been busy in the transfer window this summer, signing midfielders Declan Rice and Kai Havertz from West Ham and Chelsea respectively. The Gunners have also been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid forward Thomas Lemar, who could provide competition for Tierney on the left flank.

It remains to be seen whether Tierney will remain at Arsenal beyond this summer, but it appears that Arteta is keen to keep hold of the Scotland international. With competition for places in the squad set to be fierce this season, it could be a make or break campaign for Tierney at the Emirates.