Arsenal news: Following the cancellation of Sunday’s home game against Everton, Mikel Arteta has spent more time than he expected training with his Arsenal players.
Next Arsenal will be in action on Thursday night in the Emirates when they host PSV Eindhoven in a Europa League game. On the first day of the competition, Arsenal defeated FC Zurich 2-1. They will seek to build on that success.
During that match, Arteta made substitutions and gave playing time to several first-team stars who were having trouble securing regular playing time. One of the players in question was left back Kieran Tierney. He used to be the first choice left back. However, he has slipped since Oleksandr Zinchenko joined the team.
The former Manchester City player was acquired for £35m in the summer. He has easily displaced Tierney as Arsenal’s starting left-back. Zinchenko is considered to be a better fit for the system that Arteta wants to implement.
Arsenal News: Out of comfort zone for Tierney?
It became apparent during the recent win in Switzerland that Tierney had to try and operate outside of his comfort zone. After the game, The Scotsman’s heat map painted an interesting picture of the side. He assumed several unusual positions and even helped launch an attack on the right flank at one point.
To give players like Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah enough ammunition while also participating in raids. It was clear that Tierney was attempting to play a more inverted role by receiving passes in more central attacking zones.
Tierney was largely successful in the tasks assigned to him. However, the smaller caliber of the opposition raises concerns about whether the former Celtic star can be trusted to play a more “Zinchenko-type” role against more difficult opponents.
Tierney’s biggest opportunity to play regularly is probably the Europa League at the moment. However, PSV are a much better team than last week’s opponents.
Decisive moment for Arteta
Arteta must choose whether to place him in a system that undoubtedly suits Zinchenko better. Or make certain systematic trade-offs to utilize Tierney’s many talents.
A full-fledged international, Tierney brings a valuable skill set to the table with his aggressive demeanor and ability to run non-stop up and down the left flank, while Arteta’s Arsenal appear to be creeping away from him.
It is ironic that Tierney, who previously praised Arteta’s tactical approach and even called the Gunners manager a footballing “genius”, is now forcing the Arsenal manager to face one of his toughest decisions.
PSV’s visit later this week may provide insight into how Arteta intends to employ Tierney in the future.
