Tierney's message to Saka ahead of Arsenal return

Latest Arsenal news includes comments from Kieran Tierney on the battle for the left-back spot as he closes in on a return to action following a spell on the sidelines through injury


(Image: Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)


The Premier League suspension has come at arguably the worst time for Kieran Tierney.

Out of action since suffering a dislocated shoulder during the 3-1 win over West Ham United back in December, the £25m summer signing from Celtic returned to full training ahead of games against Manchester City as well as Brighton and Hove Albion prior to football in England being put on halt until April 4th amid the coronavirus outbreak

In his absence, Sead Kolasinac and Bukayo Saka have shared the left-back duties, with the latter impressing despite playing out of position which has given head coach Mikel Arteta something to think about.


Now back fit and waiting for the Premier League to resume, the Scotland international has revealed what he did during his recovery, including keeping a close eye on his competition at left-back.

"Having an injury changes my training routine," Tierney told Sport Bible. "The start of it was all based on the physio bed. The physio would move it into different ranges and positions. Then light movements but it was so light you wouldn't believe it.

"I did a lot of bike work and did the cross trainer as well.

"There's always things you can do and there is always ways you can improve yourself although it's not on the pitch or with the ball you are still improving yourself and your physique and every day you are injured you are improving your mentality as well.

"Watching from the sidelines is never easy but you need to take every positive you can out of it.

"I'll be watching who is playing in my position, who I'd be playing against and how the team are playing so when I do get integrated back into training games it's like second nature and I know the way the team play, how they want to play and how the manager wants to do his things.

"It's never ideal sitting on the sideline watching but I just want the team to win and be successful.

"Everybody loves going out and playing football but to be mentally tough and to deal with all these obstacles and hurdles that people throw at you, it's the hardest part but when you get to the other side it's the most rewarding part."

Tierney also detailed the extent of his shoulder injury as he revealed how many times it popped out against the Hammers.

"Three times in ten minutes, nobody's shoulder should be going like that," he added. "So in my head as I was lying down I was thinking, 'That's me out for another few months'.

"I knew that devastation straight away and I think you can see it on my face. Being injured at the start of my Arsenal career was hard. Mentally it was probably the toughest time of my life."